A wave of outrage swept over Ukraine following the remote participation of world-renowned American director Woody Allen in the Moscow International Film Week. While the cultural event in the Russian capital garnered attention, Kyiv reacted sharply, defining Allen's appearance as a deliberate participation in a Kremlin propaganda event. This act was quickly condemned by the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
disgrace and an insult to the victims of Russian aggression
In response to his participation, the director's name was entered into the database of the well-known Ukrainian website "Myrotvorets". This move is no accident—"Myrotvorets" is an independent online project, maintained by volunteers and security experts, which aims to document and expose individuals who undermine Ukraine's national security. Its database publishes information about individuals who actively support or justify Russian aggression. In the past, it has included foreign politicians, artists, and public figures who have visited occupied territories or were considered collaborators with the Russian regime. The inclusion of Woody Allen on this list represents a serious accusation, as he is charged with:
- public support for Russian aggression
- deliberate participation in a Russian propaganda initiative
During his online appearance, Woody Allen focused his comments on the topics of world cinema and the challenges of artificial intelligence. However, it was a side comment that triggered the storm of reactions. The director shared that he would consider shooting a film that would recreate the "pleasant feeling of being in Moscow and St. Petersburg". This remark was perceived as particularly offensive against the backdrop of ongoing military actions and destruction in Ukraine. Ukrainian diplomacy reacted quickly and unequivocally, highlighting how deeply the director misunderstood the context of the events. While his words may have been spoken lightly, they resonated in a tense political climate and were perceived as insensitivity and neglect of the suffering of millions of people.