Fez – Oscar-winning filmmaker Woody Allen, 89, appeared virtually at Moscow International Film Week’s “Legends of World Cinema” program. Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned his participation, saying it lent credibility to a “bloody festival” supporting President Putin.
“Woody Allen’s participation in the Moscow International Film Week is a disgrace and an insult to the sacrifice of Ukrainian actors and filmmakers who have been killed or injured by Russian war criminals,” the ministry said in a statement.
Moscow International Film Week runs August 23–27 across several city venues, with its business program set at the Moskino Film Studio’s TAU space on August 24–25. Organizers have billed the gathering as a blend of screenings, industry talks, and public encounters; city information pages list free screenings and events across the capital.
What Allen said
Coverage in Russian media highlighted that Allen praised Russian and Soviet-era cinema during the talk, citing Sergei Bondarchuk’s Oscar-winning “War and Peace.”
He also reportedly said artificial intelligence would never match the emotional depth of works by writers such as Fyodor Dostoevsky, and added he had no current plans to film in Russia but would consider a story capturing the sense of comfort he has felt in Moscow and St. Petersburg if an offer arrived.
The session was hosted by Fyodor Bondarchuk, one of Russia’s most prominent directors and producers, according to festival and media announcements.
The Moscow Times, which covered the event and Ukraine’s reaction, described Allen as the festival’s guest of honor and noted that he appeared virtually.
Ukraine’s statement argued that by participating, Allen was “turning a blind eye” to ongoing atrocities in Ukraine and using culture to launder a political narrative.
Similar language condemning the appearance was carried by multiple outlets and reposted by the ministry’s official accounts.
