At a launch event at Teatros del Canal, Woody Allen warned that fascism is rising, saying the world is going through a difficult phase. He made the comments while announcing his new, still-untitled comedy, due to begin filming in Madrid on 5 October 2026 and run for about six weeks, with additional scenes planned in Aranjuez.
He said his opposition extends beyond government politics. Allen also spoke about censorship in theatre and literature. As reported by Europa Press and Heraldo, he said the rise of fascism has always worried him and warned that restrictions on creative work and public debate can carry an authoritarian threat.
The comedy is set in a diplomatic world, with a story built around romance, intrigue and infidelity. Alexi Wasser, Jemima Kirke and Spanish actor Peter Vives are among the announced cast.
Madrid and Aranjuez will host the production. Madrid mayor José Luis Martínez-Almeida and regional president Isabel Díaz Ayuso attended the event, giving the project a high institutional profile in the city.
Public funding also drew attention. Variety and other reports say the regional-backed production has been linked to nearly €3 million in public funds, prompting a wider debate about how Madrid will appear on screen.
Allen faced repeated questions about the housing problem and the encampment at Puerta del Sol but declined to comment. Heraldo, Ara and Headtopics all reported the exchange.
Allen's visit comes during a busy period for Madrid's cultural scene. A separate cultural report covered the city's farewell to Gonzalo Suárez, an event centered on cinema, literature and journalism. Allen used his film launch to make a direct political statement.
He offered no programme or specific remedy. His position was clear: he opposed fascism in government and in cultural life, linking the issue to censorship, theatre and literature rather than separating political freedom from artistic work.
His refusal to answer questions about housing limited the scope of his remarks. Allen spoke about a global danger but did not address a concrete Madrid dispute, making the intervention sharp but narrow.
