Woody Allen is now disputing the claim that his joining a Moscow film festival constitutes “whitewashing” Russian atrocities. Even more strongly, the Ukraine Ministry of Foreign Affairs denounced his participation at the event. They argued that Allen willingly turned a blind eye to the war crimes and human rights abuses that Russia continues to perpetrate in Ukraine. The storm controversy erupted last weekend after Allen joined the festival via virtual hologram link. Filmmaker Fyodor Bondarchuk, widely considered an unofficial member of the Kremlin, presided over the event.
The ministry’s public reaffirmation of those aims stressed that cultural engagement must never be used to obfuscate or excuse crimes against humanity. “Culture must never be used to whitewash crimes or serve as a propaganda tool,” the statement read. Responding to this backlash, Allen doubled down on his position. The resultant kerfuffle over the conflict in Ukraine. He’s called Russian President Vladimir Putin “totally in the wrong.”
“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. But, whatever politicians have done, I don’t feel cutting off artistic conversations is ever a good way to help.” – Woody Allen
While he faced great backlash, Allen issued a statement praising Russian filmmaking. He has in mind, in particular, Sergei Bondarchuk’s four hour long adaptation of “War and Peace,” which itself won the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film in 1969. He stated he holds “only good feelings for Moscow and St Petersburg,” further complicating his position amid international tensions.
Allen’s presence at the Moscow International Film Week is especially notable given that his own career is currently in jeopardy. Perhaps that’s why he indicated he could retire in 2024, as he mourned, “I think all the romance of film-making is gone.” His previous two features, Rifkin’s Festival and Coup de Chance, secured funding from European money. This change is a big departure from his previous pooling of funds.
In 2019, after Allen’s production deal with Amazon was canceled over controversial political comments Allen made on Twitter, Allen sued the company. He subsequently settled out of court, illustrating the myriad of ways he remains shut out by Hollywood that would one day welcome him as a contributor.
Fyodor Bondarchuk moderated Allen’s session. He’s perhaps best known for directing recent patriotic blockbusters like the war drama “Stalingrad” and the sci-fi feature “Attraction.” His long-standing political connections to Putin have raised eyebrows regarding the appropriateness of hosting an artist like Allen at such a politically charged time.
As this situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how both Allen’s artistic endeavors and public perceptions will evolve in response to ongoing geopolitical dynamics.