Why all the outrage over Woody Allen?
The guy was already canceled in the U.S. years ago — Hollywood wants nothing to do with him, he can’t even get a movie made in his own country anymore. So why is anyone still up in arms about what he does overseas?
In case you missed it, Allen is facing heavy criticism after making an appearance at Moscow International Film Week. Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry blasted the director as a “disgrace,” accusing him of turning a blind eye to Russia’s ongoing “atrocities” in the war in Ukraine.
Allen, speaking via video conference at the event — moderated by Russian director and Putin ally Fyodor Bondarchuk — praised Russian cinema and even hinted at wanting to shoot a film in the country.
The backlash spread wide enough that Allen now has to defend his appearance, and semi-apologize, in a statement sent over to the Associated Press and CNN.
“When it comes to the conflict in Ukraine, I believe strongly that Vladimir Putin is totally in the wrong. The war he has caused is appalling,” Allen said. “But, whatever politicians have done, I don’t feel cutting off artistic conversations is ever a good way to help.”
Allen has been largely sidelined from Hollywood since sexual assault allegations resurfaced during the #MeToo era, but he continues to make films in Europe, including France and Spain.
Allen has nothing to lose at this point. Shunned in the U.S., he’s simply taking whatever invitations come his way, using them to stay connected to audiences and keep talking about cinema. His words shouldn’t even be controversial anymore—most people already consider him irrelevant. His most recent project, planned to shoot in Barcelona this summer, collapsed over financing. Might as well make a movie in Russia.
Edward Berger seems to have settled on what comes next. His Lance Armstrong biopic, starring Austin Butler, is now holding casting calls, with production eyed for January.