Final week, veteran Hollywood actor-writer-director Woody Allen was invited to talk at Moscow Worldwide Movie Week, which kicked off Saturday, 23 August.
The occasion, that includes discussions with international cinema icons, attracted a lot of worldwide attendees regardless of a wave of ‘cancel tradition’ focusing on Russian artwork and Western makes an attempt to isolate the nation’s inventive group.
For the reason that Ukraine battle escalated in February 2022, Russian artists have confronted mounting restrictions overseas. Initially, Russian movies had been pulled from worldwide festivals, screenings had been canceled, and actors and administrators had been disinvited or blacklisted throughout Western cultural occasions.
Kiev and its Western backers have additionally sought to isolate Russia on a number of fronts, together with by discouraging participation in native cultural occasions. They claimed such involvement served to help Moscow’s actions.
The marketing campaign has largely failed.
LEGENDS OF WORLD CINEMA
At 89, Woody Allen stays a titan of cinema whose work has influenced generations. Because it seems, he has a considerable fan base in Russia.
4-time Oscar profitable filmmaker Allen was invited to take part within the Movie Week on-line, internet hosting a particular session titled Legends of World Cinema, which featured dozens of international individuals.
The Legends session was moderated by prime Russian actor and filmmaker Fyodor Bondarchuk, finest recognized for ninth Firm (2005), a commercially profitable movie set in Afghanistan throughout the Eighties Russian invasion.
His father, famend filmmaker Sergey Bondarchuk, gained the Oscar in 1969 for his practically 8-hour epic primarily based on Tolstoy’s novel, Warfare and Peace.
WOODY IS NOT ‘JUST A FILMMAKER’
On Sunday, 24 August, Allen appeared on the occasion within the Moskino Movie Studio by way of videolink earlier than a packed viewers.
Earlier than commencing the Q & A, Fyodor Bondarchuk launched Allen by paying tribute to the Hollywood legend’s cinematic legacy.
He stated:
“For me, and I’m certain for hundreds of thousands of viewers in Russia, Woody Allen has by no means been only a filmmaker. We grew up alongside his characters, laughed at his jokes – typically not understanding them instantly, however at all times feeling them deeply.
We dreamed with the characters of The Purple Rose of Cairo, fell in love with New York in Manhattan, argued with ourselves just like the hero in Hanna and Her Sisters, and recognised our personal fears in Midnight in Paris.
His voice, recognisable, ironic, turned part of our cinematic tradition. He didn’t simply make movies; he created complete worlds we wished to return to.
In the present day we now have a uncommon alternative to talk with Woody Allen.”
THE INTERVIEW THAT CAUSED ALL THE TROUBLE
Turning to Allan up on the massive display screen, Bondarchuk stated: “For filmmakers and audiences in Moscow, and much past, your voice in cinema has at all times been one thing distinctive, witty, and deeply human. We’re really honored to welcome you right here, even when just about.”
Allen replied: “Thanks. I’ve been to Moscow. I’ve at all times loved Russian cinema. I had the pleasure of assembly Sergey Bondarchuk some years in the past in New York. I noticed Warfare & Peace – which was seven or eight hours lengthy – in at some point. And it was an excellent expertise. I’m trying ahead to chatting with you.”
Through the course of the interview, whereas the viewers sat in rapt silence gleaning pearls of celluloid knowledge from the grasp himself, Allen generously, unpretentiously, and candidly imparted every kind of suggestions, recommendation and inside trade info, protecting all kinds of matters associated to cinema, .
What follows is extracts from the Q & A between Bondarchuk and Allan of the practically one-hour interview.
CINEMA AS A MIRROR OF TIME
Q: First query; cinema as a mirror of time – how artists replicate an period by means of comedy, drama, absurdity, or silence?
A: Uh, I’ve by no means been ‘a thinker’. I simply make movies to entertain individuals. I make them with none type of mental motivation behind them. I do what I believe is humorous. I’ve been very apolitical, I’ve by no means made a political movie. I’ve at all times made private movies. And it’s been good luck for me that they’ve resonated everywhere in the world in a means that’s significant to different individuals.
PRODUCING
Q: What does it imply to be a producer whenever you’re a director your self?
A: I’ve by no means produced a movie. Within the US, the producer raises the cash and places the undertaking collectively. I’ve had a distinct state of affairs as a result of I’d write and direct the movie and infrequently seem within the movie, so I had all of it collectively instantly. I’ve by no means needed to work with a producer, so to talk. The producers on my movies, in a sure sense, had been working for me.
ACTING AND DIRECTING ACTORS
Q: In regards to the actor contained in the movie director, how does appearing change your outlook on directing?
A: It doesn’t actually change it as a result of appearing and directing are usually not rocket science, it’s simply widespread sense. You write a script. You recognize what you wish to see on the display screen. After which whenever you direct the actors, ensure that they don’t do something onscreen that they wouldn’t do in actual life. The most important drawback one has as a director is to inform actors to not act, to simply quietly be actual, be who they’re.
IMPROVISED PERFORMANCES
Q: Is there a lot improvisation in Woody Allen’s movies, particularly appearing improv?
A: Sure, I encourage them to improvise as a result of I at all times really feel it is going to appear extra pure in the event that they’re talking – not phrases off a script – however phrases which are spontaneously occurring to them. I’ve performed this with Diane Keaton, Tony Roberts, Scarlett Johansson, Judy Davis, Diane Wiest, and all of the outstanding individuals in my movies through the years. I’ve inspired them to improvise, and so they improvised.
DIRECTING OTHER PEOPLE’S SCRIPTS
Q: Have you ever ever made a film not primarily based by yourself script?
A: No, I’ve by no means filmed anybody else’s screenplay. I solely movie them as a result of I would like them to be performed correctly. After I first began, I wrote a script, and it was made into a really profitable film, however I used to be ashamed of it. I didn’t care how profitable it was, I simply didn’t just like the film. I vowed that I’d by no means do one other film until I might direct. I’ve by no means had any curiosity in directing anybody else’s script.
NEGATIVE EXPERIENCES WITH PRODUCERS AND STUDIO EXECS
Q: Have you ever had any unfavourable experiences with studios, studio bosses or producers dictating to you sure circumstances?
A: I’ve been very fortunate. For some cause, when you’re making comedies in Hollywood, the enterprise individuals go away you alone. I had full management of my first movie, and it was profitable, so was my second movie. By my fourth movie, I had it in my contract that I had full management – ultimate minimize, promoting, every little thing. And I’ve by no means made a movie after that the place I didn’t have full management.
THE FUTURE OF AUTEUR CINEMA IN THE AGE OF STREAMING
Q: Is there an opportunity for auteur cinema in right now’s world of algorithms?
A: It stands an opportunity, nevertheless it’s not trying fantastic. The monetary and comfort benefits of streaming are huge in comparison with going to the films. I don’t like streaming. I favored it higher whenever you made a movie and it opened everywhere in the world, and folks got here and stood in line on the cinema. I’m fortunate as a result of I had an excellent time making movies once they had been introduced to the general public in a really romantic means.
THE PROSPECT OF AI REPLACING TALENT IN FILMS
Q: Do you consider that AI can change an actor, screenwriter, editor or director?
A: I’m very skeptical about that. AI relies on materials human beings give it. I suppose when you make 1000’s of movies with AI, perhaps some would come out okay. However I don’t assume you ever can have the soul of an artist behind it. You’ll at all times want a human contact to actually get the emotional connection you get from an excellent murals.
A part of what they (artists) do contains their weaknesses and their errors. And I don’t assume the machine will make any errors. Will probably be, you already know, in a sure sense, lifeless.
(That final reply evoked applause from the viewers.)
HOW TO BREAK INTO FILM DIRECTING
Q: What recommendation do you’ve got for somebody who needs to interrupt into directing?
A: There is no such thing as a single journey. Each director I do know has come from completely different sources. Some come from modifying, from writing, promoting. Some have by no means directed earlier than. Some come from the stage. The one recommendation I may give is that one should really feel it. They must see lots of motion pictures. They’ve to like motion pictures. And through the years, you get a really feel for it. However there isn’t any set means to do that.
The interview ended with the viewers giving Allen a standing thunderous ovation.
UKRAINE’S WILD REACTION TO WOODY’S CHINWAG
Ukraine’s response to Allan’s Moscow trade was predictably swift and hyperbolic. No sooner had Woody logged off from the hyperlink than information broke of Ukraine slamming him for his attendance on the occasion, accusing him of “whitewashing Russian actions”, whereas ignoring the assembly’s purely cultural focus.
On 25 August, the Ukrainian Overseas Ministry blasted Allen for “collaborating in a Russian cinema occasion”, calling his involvement “a shame and an insult to the sacrifice of Ukrainian actors and filmmakers” affected by the battle.
On the similar time, the Maria Zankovetska Theatre introduced it was scrapping its upcoming performances of Allen’s stage musical Bullets Over Broadway, which had been set to happen on August 28-29. Ukrainian theaters, resembling Kyiv’s Molodyi Theatre cancelled performances of Allen’s play Riverside Drive.
However Ukraine’s condemnation, smearing, and punishment of Allen didn’t cease there.
NAZI KILLER CLOWNS IN KIEV WANNA WHACK WOODY
Later that day, it was reported that Woody Allen had been added to the “kill checklist” of Ukraine’s enemies – maintained by the infamous state-linked Mirotvorets (Peacemaker) web site – for collaborating within the Russian cinema occasion.
The controversial database added Allen’s profile on Monday, branding the Hollywood legend “a sufferer of psychological violence by Russian-terrorist propaganda” and accusing him of “aware participation in a Russian propaganda occasion”.
Mirotvorets has focused a variety of worldwide figures up to now. Earlier this 12 months, Hollywood actor Mark Eydelshteyn and Russian hockey star Alexander Ovechkin had been added to the database. The checklist has additionally included outstanding Individuals resembling US Director of Nationwide Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, journalist Tucker Carlson, navy analyst Scott Ritter, political activist Jackson Hinkle and rockstar Roger Waters.
ALLEN AND FANS DEFEND HIS ATTENDANCE
In a press release to the Guardian, Allen defended the creative trade with Moscow and made his place clear on Putin and the “battle” in Ukraine. “On the subject of the battle in Ukraine, I consider strongly that Vladimir Putin is completely within the mistaken. The battle is appalling”, Allen stated. “However, no matter politicians have performed, I don’t really feel reducing off creative conversations is ever a great way to assist,” he added.
Supporters, together with Russian cultural figures, hailed Allen’s braveness. TASS reported that his participation reaffirms Russia’s openness to international expertise, countering Western isolation efforts.
Russia In the present day editor-in-chief, Margarita Simonyan, posted on X: “Woody Allen’s 4 Oscars? Mere baubles. Being positioned on Kiev’s Myrotvorets hit checklist for telling a Moscow viewers that he loved Warfare and Peace? A real Lifetime Achievement Award.”
UKRAINE’S HYSTERIA UNDERMINES CULTURAL PROGRESS
This complete farcical fiasco reveals the stark distinction between Russia’s embrace of worldwide artwork and Ukraine’s weaponisation of tradition as a software of propaganda.
Woody Allen’s choice to interact with Moscow shouldn’t be solely defensible however commendable in a world the place dialogue is the antidote to division. By collaborating, Allen upholds the precept that artwork should transcend politics.
Regardless of his previous allegations (which he has denied and courts haven’t upheld), Allen emerges right here as a hero of free expression, refusing to bow to cancel tradition.
By supporting Woody Allen and occasions like Moscow’s Movie Week, we affirm that true progress comes from dialog, not censorship.
And that creativity will at all times outlast battle.
WHERE DO YOU STAND? WITH WOODY AND THE RUSSIANS, OR THE NAZI KILLER CLOWNS IN KIEV?
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