Overview

• The 89-year-old filmmaker appeared by video at Moscow International Film Week on August 24 in a session moderated by pro-Kremlin director Fyodor Bondarchuk, with footage aired on Russian state TV.
• Ukraine’s foreign ministry called his participation “a disgrace and an insult” and accused him of helping whitewash Russian atrocities through a Kremlin-aligned platform.
• In statements to multiple outlets, Allen denounced Vladimir Putin and the invasion yet argued that cutting off artistic conversations is not helpful.
• The festival is backed by Russian state media and the Moscow City Government, and Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev framed Allen’s presence as evidence that Russia is not isolated.
• Russian reports highlighted his praise for Russian cinema and warm words about Moscow and St. Petersburg, with no confirmed plans or offers for him to make a film in Russia.