Woody Allen launched filming on his new, still-untitled comedy in Madrid and warned that fascism is rising. He also declined to answer questions about housing and the encampment at Puerta del Sol.
Filming is due to start in Madrid on 5 October 2026 and last about six weeks. Additional scenes are planned in Aranjuez.
Filming of Allen's new project is scheduled to begin in Madrid on 5 October 2026 and is expected to last about six weeks, with additional scenes planned in Aranjuez.
At the launch event, held at Teatros del Canal, Woody Allen warned about the rise of fascism. He said the world is going through a difficult phase. His opposition, he added, reaches beyond government politics.
Allen also spoke about censorship in theatre and literature. He said the rise of fascism has always worried him, as reported by Europa Press and Heraldo. His point was direct. Restrictions on creative work and public debate can also carry an authoritarian threat.
The film remains without a title. It is a comedy 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. Their presence gave the project a high institutional profile in the city.
Variety and other reports say the regional-backed production has attracted attention because nearly €3 million in public money has been cited in connection with the project. That support has made the film part of a wider discussion about how Madrid will be represented on screen.
The public money drew attention too. Variety and other reports say the regional-backed production has been linked to nearly €3 million in public funds. That has fed 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. He declined to comment. Heraldo, Ara and Headtopics all reported the exchange.
That was the sharpest silence.
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. That event centered on cinema, literature and journalism. Allen used a film launch to make a direct political statement.
He offered no programme or specific remedy in the supplied material. His position was clear: he opposed fascism in government and in cultural life. He connected the issue with censorship, theatre and literature rather than treating political freedom as separate from artistic work.
His refusal to answer the housing questions set a limit on the intervention. Allen spoke about a global danger but did not address a concrete Madrid dispute. The result was a sharp but narrow news moment. His message was strongest when he spoke plainly and least complete when the city demanded a direct answer.
