Woody Allen. Photo: Famous, Bang Media International / Alamy / Profimedia
The Ukrainian government criticized American director Woody Allen for his participation in the International Film Week in Moscow, reports News.ro citing Politico.
“It is a shame and an insult to the victims of the Ukrainian actors and directors who were killed or injured by Russian war criminals during the Russian aggression against Ukraine,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Monday in a statement.
“By participating in a festival that brings together Putin's supporters and spokesmen, Allen deliberately closes their eyes to the atrocities that Russia commits in Ukraine every 11 years. Culture should never be used to cover crimes or to serve as a propaganda tool,” added MAE.
Woody Allen's Participation in the Moscow International Film Week is a disgrace and an insult to the sacrifice of Ukrainian and Filmmakers Who Been Killed Or Injured by Russian War Criminns in Their Ongoing War Against Ukraine.
By taking part in a festival that… pic.twitter.com/qqyqrqmh2z
– Mfa of Ukraine 🇺🇦 (@Mfa_ukraine) August 25, 2025
On Sunday, Woody Allen spoke at an online session with some of the most famous directors, filmmakers and Russian actors, many of them, including director Fiodor Bondarchuk, who interviewed Allen, publicly supporting Russia in Ukraine.
Allen, who won four Oscars, spoke about artificial intelligence and described a visit to the USSR as a gloomy experience, but also praised Russian cinema and said he could make a movie in Russia, although he has not yet received any offer in this regard, the media reported.
“If there were similar proposals, I would sit down and think of a scenario about how well you feel in Moscow and Saint Petersburg,” said Woody Allen.
Director Woody Allen, poster head at the International Film Festival in Moscow
