Master Woody Allen Announces Retirement from Filmmaking: "Will Spend Twilight Years Writing"

Film director Woody Allen (left) and former cohabitant Mia Farrow (center)

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Woody Allen, a famous film director well known in Korea for works such as 'Midnight in Paris,' has finally announced his retirement from the film industry following allegations of sexual abuse against his adopted daughter.

On the 18th (local time), according to NBC and other outlets, Director Allen stated in an interview with the Spanish newspaper Vanguardia the previous day, "I am stepping away from filmmaking and plan to devote much of my twilight years to writing screenplays." Currently, Allen is preparing to produce his 50th film set in Paris, France, which is expected to be his final work in his career.

Regarding his last film to be released, he said, "It is similar to 'Match Point' (released in 2006) in that it is interesting, dramatic, and also very ominous." This is not the first time Allen has announced his retirement.

Earlier, in January, Allen had indirectly expressed his intention to consider retirement through social networking services (SNS), saying, "I no longer find joy in making and screening films." Born in the United States in 1935, Allen entered the film industry in the 1960s and rose to global prominence with films such as 'Annie Hall,' 'Manhattan,' and 'Crimes and Misdemeanors.'

However, after separating from his cohabitant Mia Farrow in 1992, he caused controversy over his personal life by marrying Soon-Yi Previn, a Korean adoptee whom Mia Farrow had adopted with her ex-husband. In 2017, another adopted daughter, Dylan Farrow, accused Allen of sexually abusing her when she was seven years old, intensifying the controversy.

As Allen's reputation plummeted due to the child sexual abuse allegations, he moved his filming base to Europe. Although there were discussions about publishing a memoir, the project was canceled after employees of the publishing company in charge went on strike, claiming it would be an act of defending a child sex offender.

As the controversy grew, Amazon, which was responsible for distributing Allen's film 'A Rainy Day in New York,' canceled its North American release and terminated a contract to produce four additional films. Actor Timoth?e Chalamet, who appeared in the film, also expressed regret for starring in Allen's movies and announced his intention to donate all his earnings from the film to organizations opposing sexual violence.