Allen: "Putin Is Totally Wrong, But Art Shouldn't Be Silenced"

Woody Allen, heavily criticized by Ukraine for participating online in the Moscow International Film Week, has denied that his involvement was a way to "cover up" Russia’s responsibility in the war against Ukraine. He emphasized that artistic discussions should not be interrupted, CE Report quotes ANSA.

"Regarding the conflict in Ukraine," the American actor and four-time Oscar-winning director told The Guardian, "I firmly believe Vladimir Putin is totally wrong. The war he caused is horrifying. But whatever politicians do, I don’t think cutting off artistic conversations helps."

Allen participated on Sunday in an online discussion with Russian filmmaker Fyodor Bondarchuk, known for patriotic films such as Stalingrad and son of Sergei Bondarchuk, who won an Oscar in 1968 for War and Peace. During the conversation, Allen praised Russian cinema and spoke positively about life in Moscow and Saint Petersburg.

Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned Allen’s appearance at the Moscow festival, calling it "a disgrace and an insult to the sacrifice of Ukrainian actors and filmmakers killed or wounded by Russian war criminals in their ongoing war against Ukraine."