Hollywood Star Susan Sarandon Reveals Career Crushing Fallout From Palestine Stance
At the Venice Film Festival, Susan Sarandon disclosed that she continues to lose film roles due to her public support for Palestine, despite a perceived shift in the general public's narrative. The actress also noted that her director for 'The Echo Chamber,' Andrea Pallaoro, defied warnings not to work with her, highlighting persistent industry opposition.
Veteran actress Susan Sarandon revealed at the Venice Film Festival press conference for her new film, “The Echo Chamber,” that she continues to face professional repercussions, including having movies "taken away," due to her outspoken support for Palestine. Her comments on Sunday addressed a direct question regarding whether the narrative surrounding the conflict in Gaza is evolving within Hollywood.
Sarandon, an Oscar winner, has previously experienced industry backlash for her views. In 2023, she was dropped by her agency UTA following remarks made at a pro-Palestinian rally. Earlier this year, she expressed feeling shunned by the industry for advocating for a ceasefire in Gaza. Despite these challenges, Sarandon believes there has been a significant shift in the public's understanding, particularly concerning the historical context of Palestine and the political ties between Zionists and the United States, including the substantial financial aid America provides to Israel.
However, the actress noted that this narrative change has not universally extended to her professional sphere. "I’ve still had movies taken away recently because there are agencies that are telling people not to hire me still," she stated, attributing this to the prevailing power structures within the industry. Conversely, she feels welcomed internationally, indicating a divergence between public sentiment and certain industry gatekeepers. She expressed, "I think within the people, certainly internationally, I feel welcome."
Regarding her current project, "The Echo Chamber," a romantic drama directed by Italian filmmaker Andrea Pallaoro, Sarandon highlighted a specific instance of defiance against industry pressure. The film, which was Bernardo Bertolucci’s final screenplay and also stars Luca Marinelli and Alicia Vikander, saw its director explicitly warned against collaborating with Sarandon. She publicly thanked Pallaoro for disregarding these warnings, saying, "I thank Andrea for that, because he doesn’t listen to the warnings."
Sarandon concluded by reiterating the complex landscape she navigates: "There has been a change in terms of the general public, but there are still positions in my industry that are held by Zionists who have not relaxed their feelings towards me." Despite the ongoing professional challenges, she conveyed a sense of personal resilience, declaring, "But I found my family, I found my people and I’m OK."