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Ukrainian theatres cancel plays based on Woody Allen scripts

After the director’s appearance at the Moscow festival, controversy erupts and Kiev officially condemns the move: “Culture cannot cover up a crime”

After Woody Allen’s video link-up with the Moscow International Film Week, an event promoted by the Russian authorities and state media, some of Ukraine’s leading theatres announced the cancellation of performances inspired by his works.

The Maria Zankovetska Theatre in Lviv removed the musical Bullets Over Broadway, based on the American author’s screenplay of the same name, from its programme. The same decision was taken by the Olha Kobylianska Regional Academic Theatre in Chernivtsi, which cancelled the staging of A Midsummer Night’s Sexy Comedy. In Kiev, the Molodyy Theatre suspended the show Riverside Drive, accompanying the decision with an official statement: “We condemn Woody Allen’s participation in the Moscow International Film Week. Culture cannot serve as a cover for a crime”.

Blacklisting

The New York director’s name has also been added to the list published by the controversial Ukrainian website Myrotvorets (‘keeper of peace’), which lists individuals considered hostile to Ukraine. According to the platform, Allen took part in a ‘Russian propaganda event during the Russian-Ukrainian war’, indirectly supporting Moscow’s aggression.

Allen’s response

The filmmaker expressed his position in a statement released by CNN: “I firmly believe that Vladimir Putin is totally wrong about the war in Ukraine. The conflict he has caused is terrible. But whatever politicians have done, I don’t think cutting off artistic dialogue is a positive way to help”.

The Ukrainian government’s reaction

The Foreign Ministry in Kiev called Allen’s participation in the Moscow festival ‘a disgrace and an insult to the memory of Ukrainian actors and filmmakers killed or injured by Russia’s criminal actions.’

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