The Ukrainian government has harshly criticized the participation of the American director Woody Allen in the International Film Week in Moscow, considering his gesture as an insult to the victims of the Russian aggression.
Woody Allen, harshly criticized by the Ukrainian government. Photo: Shutterstock
The Ukrainian government condemned the participation of the controversial American director Woody Allen at the International Film Week in Moscow, accusing him to ignore the suffering of Ukrainian actors and directors affected by the war triggered by Russia.
According to the Politico publication, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine issued a statement in which he stated: “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.”
At the same time, the Ukrainian official stressed that by his involvement in a festival that brings together supporters and spokesmen of Vladimir Putin, Woody Allen would deliberately ignore Russia in Ukraine.
“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 day. Culture should never be used to cover crimes or to serve as a propaganda tool. Culture should never be used to cover the crimes or to serve as a propaganda tool” is shown in the statement.
During the International Week of the Moscow film, on Sunday, August 24, the Hollywood star appeared in an online session with Rounian Directors and actors, many of them, including Fiodor Bondarchuk, publicly expressing his support for Russia’s invasion in Ukraine.
During the discussion, Woody Allen, a laureate of four Oscars, addressed the subject of artificial intelligence and told about a visit to the USSR, which he described as a gloomy experience. However, he recognized the merits of Russian cinema and mentioned that he could make a film in Russia, although he did not receive any concrete offer.
“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, according to the Russian press.
