Woody Allen sparked outrage after attending a virtual speech at a Russian film festival, with Ukraine condemning his participation as “a disgrace and an insult” to the victims of Russia’s invasion.
The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry strongly condemned Allen’s appearance, calling it a “disgrace and an insult” to those killed or wounded by Russian war criminals. The ministry accused Allen of turning a blind eye to the atrocities committed in Ukraine.
Allen responded to criticism, stating that he believes Vladimir Putin is “totally in the wrong” regarding the conflict but emphasized the importance of maintaining cultural exchange. He argued that cutting off artistic conversations would not be an effective solution to resolve the issue.
The festival, which features Allen as one of its headliners, has been met with criticism from Ukraine and the international community. The appearance has put Allen at odds with Hollywood’s support for Ukraine, which includes prominent actors signing on to a crowdfunding initiative and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy making virtual appearances.
Allen’s involvement in the festival is not surprising, given his long-standing affinity for Russian literature and history. His films often explore themes related to Russia and its culture.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/woody-allen-russia-ukraine-war-6a63f346b58314aeb5f6f69412e496f8