Woody Allen has announced his retirement as he works on his 50th and final film in Europe. It was inevitable, but it was more or less confirmed by the legendary writer-director this afternoon in Spain.
The announcement came on Saturday in an interview with LaVanguardia. Allen stated that he had no desire to make any more movies, but that he wanted to write a novel in his final years.
About that final film, set in Paris and shot entirely in French, Allen tells the Spanish outlet that "it will be similar to “Match Point,” exciting, dramatic and also very sinister." The plan is to shoot it in a couple of weeks.
Since this is his final film, I would presume a major world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival will be in the works.
Allen has received a record-breaking 16 Oscar nominations for Best Screenplay. His major works, for me at least, will always be “Annie Hall,” “Crimes and Misdemeanors,” “Hannah and Her Sisters,” “Husbands and Wives,” and “The Purple Rose of Cairo.”
The next batch of essential Woodys are “Broadway Danny Rose,” “Zelig,” “Radio Days,” “Bullets Over Broadway,” “Midnight in Paris,” “Blue Jasmine,” “Match Point,” “Sleeper,” “Bananas,” and “Manhattan.”
What a legendary career.