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🇦🇷 Argentina /Culture & Society

Susan Sarandon says criticism of Israel has cost her film roles at Venice Festival

From Clarín · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

In-depth From a news agency Context piece
  • Susan Sarandon said at the Venice Film Festival that she has lost film projects because of her public criticism of Israel and support for Palestine.
  • She thanked director Andrea Pallaoro for casting her in The Echo Chamber despite what she described as warnings within the industry.
  • Sarandon also discussed the film’s connection to Bernardo Bertolucci, whose final screenplay serves as its basis.

Susan Sarandon used the Venice Film Festival to describe the professional cost of her outspoken support for Palestine and criticism of Israel. Speaking at a news conference for The Echo Chamber, which competes for the Golden Lion, the actress said some agencies still tell people not to hire her.

I think the narrative has completely changed regarding the historical relevance of Palestine and the links between Zionism and the United States in our politics.

· Susan SarandonSarandon described what she sees as a shift in public discussion during a Venice Festival news conference.

“Recently I have had some films taken away because there are agencies that keep telling people not to hire me, but that is the power structure,” Sarandon said. She added that she feels welcomed by ordinary people, especially internationally, and believes the broader narrative has changed significantly regarding Palestine’s historical importance and the links between Zionism and U.S. politics.

Sarandon thanked director Andrea Pallaoro for ignoring the warnings and giving her a role in The Echo Chamber. “I thank Andrea for not listening to those warnings,” she said, while cautioning that “deeply rooted positions still exist within the industry” and remain hostile to her.

Recently I have had some films taken away because there are agencies that keep telling people not to hire me, but that is the power structure. I think that among ordinary people, and especially internationally, I feel welcome.

· Susan SarandonShe described the professional consequences of her political views.

The film stars Sarandon alongside Italy’s Luca Marinelli and Sweden’s Alicia Vikander. It grew from the final screenplay written by Bernardo Bertolucci, who died in 2018, and tells an intimate love story set in a musician’s apartment. Care, dependency, desire and control of emotions run through the story.

I thank Andrea for not listening to those warnings.

· Susan SarandonSarandon thanked director Andrea Pallaoro for casting her in The Echo Chamber.

Sarandon also recalled her friendship with Bertolucci and her admiration for his work, dating back to seeing his 1970 film Il conformista. She said she later became close to him through her relationship with French filmmaker Louis Malle, describing Bertolucci as a funny person. Sarandon, who turns 80 on Oct. 4, is among the Hollywood figures who have criticized the war in Gaza, alongside Mark Ruffalo, Richard Gere and Joaquin Phoenix.

Deeply rooted positions still exist within the industry.

· Susan SarandonShe warned that hostility toward her views remains inside the film industry.
About this summary

Originally published by Clarín in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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