Controversial director Woody Allen has been making headlines in recent years due to allegations of sexual assault made against him by his adoptive daughter, Dylan Farrow, which he vehemently denies. Despite this, Allen has remained steadfast in his career, recently having his new film, Coup De Chance, screened at the Venice Film Festival. At a press conference, Allen credited his good fortune for his success, stating that he has been “very lucky my whole life” and has never been held accountable for things he did poorly.
Allen went on to list his blessings, including having two loving parents, good friends, a wonderful wife and marriage, and two children. He also noted that he has never been hospitalized and has never experienced anything terrible happen to him. He attributed his career success to his collaborators, who chose to emphasize what he was able to do well and not hold him accountable for his mistakes.
Allen’s comments came as a surprise, as many in the industry have distanced themselves from him in recent years. Stars such as Mira Sorvino, Greta Gerwig, Colin Firth, and Rebecca Hall have dissociated themselves from the director, following the allegations made against him. Allen has also faced difficulties securing financing for his films in the US, whereas his latest film, Coup De Chance, was filmed in Paris and features a French cast.
Allen’s comments suggest that he places little blame on himself for any perceived shortcomings in his career and instead attributes his success to good fortune. His statement follows a previous controversial comment, in which he compared the backlash against him to “everyone suddenly eating kale.” The director’s reputation has been damaged by the allegations made against him, and his comments are likely to be met with skepticism by many. Despite this, Allen remains committed to his craft, and his latest film is expected to debut in the coming months.