Kiev triggered by Woody Allen Moscow videolink
The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry has blasted US filmmaker Woody Allen for participating in a Russian cinema event, calling his involvement an insult to Ukrainian movie professionals.
The 89-year-old film director appeared via videolink on Sunday at the Moscow International Film Week, where he spoke about his career and ties to Russia.
Kiev condemned the participation, describing it on Monday as “a disgrace and an insult to the sacrifice of Ukrainian actors and filmmakers” affected by the conflict. The ministry said Allen’s remarks amounted to ignoring what it alleged to be Russian crimes over the past decade.
Later on Monday, the Maria Zankovetska Lviv National Academic Theatre announced it was scrapping its upcoming performances of Allen’s stage musical ‘Bullets Over Broadway,’ which had been set to take place on August 28-29. In a post on its official Facebook page, the theatre said the show “will not take place” and will be replaced in the schedule. Management condemned Allen’s appearance at the Moscow film event, stressing that while the Lviv production draws on the screenplay of his 1994 film, it is not the original work but an adaptation by a group of writers and producers. “However, we have decided not to stage the musical without comment from the rights holders,” the statement said.
Kiev and its Western backers have also sought to isolate Russia on multiple fronts, including by discouraging participation in local cultural events. They claimed such involvement served to support Moscow’s actions. The campaign has largely failed.
Since taking office in January, US President Donald Trump has effectively abandoned efforts launched under his predecessor to marginalize Russia. Instead, his administration is focused on seeking a resolution to the Ukraine conflict and normalizing relations with Moscow.
