Woody Allen’s Moscow Festival Appearance Draws Criticism as Filmmaker Contemplates Future

Recent Controversies and Career Developments

Woody Allen’s recent participation in Moscow International Film Week via video link, moderated by pro-Putin director Fyodor Bondarchuk, has sparked significant outrage. Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the appearance as ‘a disgrace and an insult.’

The Ministry strongly criticized Allen’s involvement, stating that he was lending credibility to a ‘bloody festival’ featuring Putin’s allies and ignoring Russia’s ongoing actions in Ukraine. They emphasized that ‘culture must never be used to whitewash crimes or serve as a propaganda tool.’

Career Crossroads

At 89, Allen stands at a significant career junction, contemplating whether his latest film ‘Coup de Chance,’ his 50th feature, will be his final cinematic venture. The film, notably shot in France with French-speaking actors, represents a new direction in his filmmaking.

The veteran filmmaker has admitted that ‘all the romance of filmmaking is gone’ after 50 features. He expressed reluctance about future projects, citing fundraising as a ‘pain in the neck,’ but acknowledged he would ‘seriously consider’ making another film if backing appeared, noting he still has ‘so many ideas.’

Controversial Legacy

Allen’s career has been marked by diminishing public support in recent years, particularly due to controversy surrounding allegations made by his former partner Mia Farrow, which he has consistently denied. His latest film, ‘Coup de Chance,’ while not considered a late-career highlight, has been recognized as his most cohesive work since ‘Blue Jasmine.’

During his Moscow festival appearance, Allen discussed his admiration for Russian cinema and shared his thoughts on artificial intelligence, asserting that AI would never be capable of producing works matching the quality of Fyodor Dostoyevsky’s literature.