(MENAFN) The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry criticized US filmmaker Woody Allen for participating in a Russian cinema event, calling his involvement “an insult” to Ukrainian actors and filmmakers affected by the ongoing conflict. The 89-year-old director appeared via videolink on Sunday at the Moscow International Film Week, discussing his career and connections to Russia.

Kiev described Allen’s participation as “a disgrace” that ignored alleged Russian crimes over the past decade. In response, the Maria Zankovetska Lviv National Academic Theatre announced it would cancel its upcoming performances of the Allen-based stage musical Bullets Over Broadway, originally scheduled for August 28-29. The theatre emphasized that while the production was adapted from Allen’s 1994 film, it had been reworked by local writers and producers, and the decision to cancel was made due to Allen’s Moscow appearance.

The incident reflects ongoing efforts by Ukraine and its Western allies to isolate Russia culturally, though such campaigns have largely been unsuccessful. Since taking office in January, US President Donald Trump has shifted US policy away from isolating Russia, focusing instead on resolving the Ukraine conflict and normalizing relations with Moscow.

MENAFN26082025000070015687ID1109977059