As the United States and Russia governments have over the last decade-plus drifted into relations that bring to mind the cold war and that have brought forward the prospect of descent into nuclear war, there has been much effort from within America and other NATO countries to banish Russians from international sporting events and cultural exchanges. Fortunately, marquee American filmmaker Woody Allen has boldly bucked this trend.
On Sunday, Allen participated, via a remote internet connection, in a Moscow International Film Week event in which he is reported to have communicated with some of his Russian film counterparts, expressed his admiration for Russian cinema, and commented regarding the possibility of him making a movie in Russia. This is just the kind of friendly person-to-person communication that should be encouraged between Americans and Russians to help reduce tensions and advance peace. And, it is for that reason that the Ukraine government that has a primary goal of keeping the US and other NATO countries at maximum hostility toward Russia was quick to condemn Allen’s participation in the event, with the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs harshly criticizing Allen the next day.
Allen admirably stood his ground against the Ukraine government’s bullying, issuing a statement in response. In his statement, Allen presented his opinion that Russia President Vladimir Putin is “totally in the wrong” in regard to the conflict in Ukraine and then proceeded to state that, “whatever politicians have done, I don’t feel cutting off artistic conversations is ever a good way to help.”
Hopefully, Allen’s courage will rub off on other Americans. Let’s keep the conversation flowing across borders and, in the process, advance peace.
