Woody Allen at Moscow film fest: Ukraine's MFA issues statement

Woody Allen participated in a film festival in Moscow

According to Russian media reports, the discussion was moderated by longtime Putin supporter Fedor Bondarchuk.

Festival organizers announced Allen as the main honorary figure of the event.

The director's participation in a cultural event held in an aggressor country immediately drew waves of condemnation.

Alongside Woody Allen, Serbian director and musician Emir Kusturica, who openly supports Russia in its war against Ukraine, was also listed as a participant in the festival.

Reaction from the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs

The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded to Allen's controversial decision.

"This is a shame and an insult to Ukrainian actors and filmmakers who were killed or injured by Russian war criminals during Russia's aggression against Ukraine," the statement said.

Woody Allen controversies

Woody Allen is an American director, screenwriter, actor, comedian, producer, and writer who has won four Oscars and is known for his films, stories, and theatrical plays.

He is also a jazz musician, playing the clarinet.

Over the past three decades, his name has been involved in high-profile sexual scandals, leading to a de facto boycott of the director in Hollywood.

Woody Allen (photo: Getty Images)

His reputation was seriously damaged by statements from his adopted daughter, Dylan Farrow, who accused him of sexual abuse that allegedly occurred during her childhood.

Despite public outcry, the court never proved the director's guilt. Allen later stated that he "doesn't care" what the public thinks.

Additionally, in 2018, American model Babi Christina Engelhardt claimed she had an intimate relationship with Woody Allen when she was only 16 and he was 41.

Sources: UNITED24 Media, Telegram channel of the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs