One of Hollywood’s long-time storytellers is thinking about calling it quits. In a film career spanning almost 60 years, which includescritically acclaimed titles likeAnnie Hall,Hannah and Her SistersandMidnight in Paris,filmmakerWoody Allenis “on the fence about” making more movies. And in a brand-new interview withAir Mailnews, Allen declares that “all the romance of filmmaking is gone.” Allen said (perDeadline):
“I’m on the fence about it. I don’t want to have to go out to raise money. I find that a pain in the neck. But if someone shows up and calls in and says we want to back the film, then I would seriously consider it. I would probably not have the willpower to say no, because I have so many ideas.”
Annie Hall
Allen continues:
“It doesn’t matter to me whether I get distributed here or not. Once I make it, I don’t follow it anymore.Distribution is no longer what it was. Now distribution is two weeks in a cinema. The whole business has changed, and not in an appealing way.All the romance of filmmaking is gone […] Someone asked me about cancel culture, and I said,‘Ifyou’re going to be cancelled, this is the culture that you want to be cancelled from.‘Because who wants to be part of this culture?”
Woody Allen’s Legacy and His ‘Stroke of Luck’
Clearly,Woody Allen is one of the most divisive directors.Allen went from working in theSid Caesar Show’swriting room, which featured a who’s who of young talent like Mel Brooks, Neil Simon and Carl Reiner, to penning the screenplay for the feature filmWhat’s New Pussycat(1965). Disgusted by the motion picture’s outcome and a lack of creative control, Allen went on to make his own movies with complete autonomy. And for the most part, at least until the time of the COVID-19 pandemic, Allen cranked out at least one new movie every single year.
Woody Allen’s Best Movies, Ranked
A writer, actor, director and comedian, there isn’t much that Woody Allen cannot do. Here are some of his best films, ranked.
While his professional life thrived,Allen was caught up in controversyin his day-to-day world. But along the way to becoming one of the most prolific filmmakers, Allen won a total of four Academy Awards for his work onAnnie Hall(Best Original Screenplay, Best Director),Hannah and Her Sisters(Best Original Screenplay) andMidnight in Paris(Best Original Screenplay).Midnight in Paris(2011) came later in Allen’s career when he began leaving New York City to shoot his movies on location across the globe. AndMidnight in Parisbecame his largest-grossing film of all time, making $151.7 million worldwide (perBox Office Mojo).
The last project Allen filmed was also his 50th movie,Coup de chance, which translates to “stroke of luck” in English. The erotic thriller received afive-minute standing ovation at the Venice Film Festival,and it has now been released in theaters as of April 5. But only time will tell if this will indeed mark the end of Allen’s long and storied career.
Coup de chancedrops Friday, April 12 on both digital and VOD platforms.
