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‘A disgrace’: Woody Allen faces backlash over participation in Moscow International Film Week
Euronews ^ | 25/08/2025 | David Mouriquand

Posted on 08/25/2025 4:40:52 PM PDT by nickcarraway

The American filmmaker took part in a Q&A session via a video link, with pro-Putin Russian director Fyodor Bondarchuk moderating the conversation. Allen’s presence has sparked outrage, with Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs calling it "a disgrace and an insult." Oscar-winning American filmmaker Woody Allen appeared at the Moscow International Film Week yesterday, headlining the “Legends of World Cinema” programme.

The 89-year-old took part in the event via a video link - rather than in person – with pro-Putin Russian director Fyodor Bondarchuk moderating the conversation.

The festival’s website described the slot as an “atmosphere of a confidential dialogue” to allow attendees to “touch the inner world of the director, understand how stories are born that remain in culture for decades, and hear thoughts that rarely appear in public.”

According to Russian state media, Allen spoke about his admiration for Russian cinema and stated during the conversation that artificial intelligence would never be able to produce works on the level of Fyodor Dostoyevsky’s books.

RIA Novosti reported that when asked about filming in Russia, Allen said that he had not received any proposals and that if offers were to come, he would not be opposed to a screenplay centred around the sense of comfort he previously felt in Moscow.

While neither Woody Allen nor his representatives commented publicly on his participation in the event, the filmmaker’s online presence at Moscow International Film Week has sparked outrage.

Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly condemned his participation, saying that Allen was giving credibility to a “bloody festival” featuring Putin’s allies and that it amounts to ignoring the daily atrocities Russia continues to carry out in Ukraine.

“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 in their ongoing war against Ukraine,” stated the ministry.

“Culture must never be used to whitewash crimes or serve as a propaganda tool.”

Elsewhere, online rections also heavily criticised Allen’s attendance:

Woody Allen's last film to date was 2023's Coup de Chance, which premiered at the 80th edition of the Venice Film Festival. In our review of the film, we wrote: "Coup de Chance becomes Match Point ’s clumsier French cousin, one that is more forgettable but that does build to a very satisfying conclusion. It’s no late-career highpoint, mind you, but there’s no denying that after a decade of dross, it is Woody’s most cohesive film since Blue Jasmine."

Moscow International Film Week was launched in 2024. It runs from 23 – 27 August.


TOPICS: TV/Movies; Weird Stuff
KEYWORDS: bluejasmine; coupdechance; film; fyodorbondarchuk; matchpoint; moscow; woodyallen
Of all people, is this really going to tarnish Allen's reputation?
1 posted on 08/25/2025 4:40:52 PM PDT by nickcarraway
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To: nickcarraway

atta boy Woody.


2 posted on 08/25/2025 4:42:51 PM PDT by JonPreston ( ✌ ☮️ )
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To: All

I wonder if Russians liked his “Love and Death” movie


3 posted on 08/25/2025 4:46:10 PM PDT by escapefromboston (Peace, commerce and honest friendship with all nations, entangling alliances with none.)
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To: nickcarraway

I am old enough to remember the democrats slobbering love for all things Soviet and Russia. Rush even had “Gorbasm” updates on his show. Bernie, possibly the most respected and beloved democrat, loved Russia so much he based his entire political career off communism and had his honeymoon there.


4 posted on 08/25/2025 4:46:42 PM PDT by Organic Panic ('Was I molested. I think so' - Ashley Biden in response to her father joining her in the shower. )
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To: Organic Panic

They still do the slobbering. Remember, they helped Hillary create a dossier to get Trump. The Russians have helped the Democrats in every presidential election since the 1930’s.


5 posted on 08/25/2025 4:50:36 PM PDT by nickcarraway
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To: nickcarraway

Was there any sage advice from Woody with regards to adopting an Oriental child, and then having sexual relations with them after they have their first period?

Didn’t think so.

Then again... I guess that Mia Farrow wasn’t the best example as a mother... After she had her first period she had sex with Frank Sinatra.


6 posted on 08/25/2025 5:01:28 PM PDT by jerod (Nazis were essentially Socialist in Hugo Boss uniforms... Get over it!)
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To: escapefromboston

It was a funny movie.

Sleeper and Bananas were better.


7 posted on 08/25/2025 5:02:40 PM PDT by wally_bert (I cannot be sure for certain, but in my personal opinion I am certain that I am not sure..)
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To: nickcarraway

Did Ukraine put him on their Death list?


8 posted on 08/25/2025 5:15:43 PM PDT by McGruff
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To: wally_bert

My favorite scene from Sleeper:

https://youtu.be/5kwcLW9I0n8?si=cmhaUqzOT8Hk7GR4


9 posted on 08/25/2025 5:17:03 PM PDT by Disambiguator
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To: nickcarraway

“ The American filmmaker took part in a Q&A session.”

_____

More apropos would be, disgraced American film maker and pederast.


10 posted on 08/25/2025 6:20:53 PM PDT by jacknhoo (Luke 12:51; Think ye, that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, no; but separation.)
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To: nickcarraway
Whoa!

Woody Allen is still alive?

11 posted on 08/25/2025 6:27:18 PM PDT by Salman (It's not a slippery slope if it was part of the program all along.)
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To: nickcarraway

Woody Allen?! I actually forgot he was still alive. Talk about a has-been.


12 posted on 08/25/2025 6:45:58 PM PDT by Sicon ("All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others." - G. Orwell)
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To: nickcarraway

Damn COMMIES!


13 posted on 08/25/2025 6:58:43 PM PDT by Mark (DONATE ONCE every 3 months-is that a big deal?)
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To: nickcarraway

I didn’t realize he was still alive. No sarcasm


14 posted on 08/26/2025 8:18:16 AM PDT by GreyFriar (Spearhead - 3rd Armored Division 75-78 & 83-87)
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