Woody Allen says abuse controversy was ‘a false allegation but a great tabloid drama’

Hillel Italie, Publishing Editor at the Associated Press, discusses the content and release of Woody Allen’s autobiography, ‘Apropos of Nothing.’ (March 23) AP Entertainment

Woody Allen has been the center of much controversy since the ’90s – facing abuse allegations from his adoptive step-daughter Dylan Farrow and marrying the young Korean-born adopted daughter of his longtime parter Mia Farrow – but he isn’t letting it bother him.

In a rare interview with the Daily Mail, the award-winning director opened up about the scandal, his relationship with his wife Soon-Yi Previn and how he is adjusting to the worldwide pandemic.

The sexual abuse allegations, for which Allen, 84, was never charged after two separate investigations, resurfaced amid the #MeToo era and again after the release of his memoir “Apropos of Nothing” this year. The book was dropped by Hachette, the publisher Allen’s son Ronan Farrow was working with on his book, “Catch and Kill,” about his reporting on powerful men and sexual assault.

The memoir was later picked up and released by Arcade, an imprint of independent publisher Skyhorse.

“Of course I am aware I am the subject of gossip and scandal, but I cannot let it bother me. I live my life. I work. I play jazz. I watch sports. I see my friends. I don’t look up and I don’t read anything,” Allen tells the Daily Mail. “It was a false allegation but a great tabloid drama.”

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Allen says that he ignores it, keeps working and surrounds himself with people “who know the truth,” such as his wife of more than 20 years.

Woody Allen and his wife Soon-Yi Previn pose as they arrive on May 11, 2016 for the screening of the film “Cafe Society” during the opening ceremony of the 69th Cannes Film Festival in Cannes. (Photo: ALBERTO PIZZOLI/AFP/Getty Images)

While Allen admits their relationship could have looked to the outside world like an “exploitative situation,” he says “for whatever inexplicable reason,” he found the “right ” relationship with Previn, 49.

“She doesn’t really like jazz or sports, and I don’t like some of the TV shows she watches. But we agree on the big stuff – raising kids, where to live, how to act with each other,” he says.

Allen and Previn share  two daughters, Bechet, 21, and Manzie, 20.  He also says that Previn calmed him down. “I’ve got rid of many of my more neurotic traits, although I still won’t go through tunnels and I don’t like small spaces or elevators.”

So what is Allen up to while he stays at home amid the global pandemic? The “Annie Hall” director is still trying to make a “great movie like Federico Fellini or Ingmar Bergman,” he says.

“If I get a chance and the virus abates, maybe before I die there is always the chance I will make a great film. But I haven’t done that yet.” 

In the meantime, he tells the Daily Mail that he hates being locked down. 

“I get up. I do my exercises. I practice my clarinet and then I stare into empty space,” Allen says. “I have a play ready and a film written but I can’t start them. The girls aren’t with us; they are in lockdown with friends at college.

“Every day we go for a walk but it’s not enjoyable. Everything is shut and there is an atmosphere of fear on the streets. I just want to work.”

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