Woody Allen is defending his decision to appear at a Moscow film festival.
“When it comes to the conflict in Ukraine, I believe strongly that Vladimir Putin is totally in the wrong. The war he has caused is appalling,” he told The Guardian in a statement published Monday. “But, whatever politicians have done, I don’t feel cutting off artistic conversations is ever a good way to help.”
Allen’s apologia comes after Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs denounced the director for helping “whitewash” Russia’s reputation by speaking during an event hosted by Putin ally and filmmaker, Fyodor Bondarchuk. Allen did not attend the talk in person but appeared by video.
“Woody Allen’s participation in the Moscow international film week is a disgrace and an insult to the sacrifice of Ukrainian actors and film-makers who have been killed or injured by Russian war criminals in their ongoing war against Ukraine,” the ministry said in a social media post.
“By taking part in a festival that brings together Putin’s supporters and voices, Allen chooses to turn a blind eye to the atrocities Russia commits in Ukraine every single day for 11 years now,” the statement continued.
“Culture must never be used to whitewash crimes or serve as a propaganda tool,” it went on. “We strongly condemn Woody Allen’s decision to bless Moscow’s bloody festival with his address.”
According to Russian media, the Oscar winner spoke of his love of Russian cinema during the event and said he has “only good feelings for Moscow and St. Petersburg.”
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The Bronx-born filmmaker produced his last two films in Europe after Amazon Studios cancelled a multimovie deal with him following resurfaced allegations he molested his daughter Dylan Farrow. Allen has denied any wrongdoing.
