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Susan Sarandon says support for Palestine is still costing her film roles

From Jerusalem Post · () English

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

At a glance

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  • Susan Sarandon said she continues to lose film work because of her public support for Palestinians and criticism of Israel.
  • Speaking at the Venice Film Festival, she said public views on Palestine and US support for Israel had shifted, but major studios still resisted hiring outspoken critics.
  • Sarandon was dropped by her longtime talent agency in 2023 after comments at pro-Palestinian rallies, while a dispute over displaying a Palestinian flag also affected this year’s festival.

Susan Sarandon says her outspoken support for Palestinians continues to cost her film roles, even as she sees a broader change in public attitudes toward Palestine and US support for Israel.

I think that the narrative has completely changed in terms of the historical relevance of Palestine and the ties of Zionists with America and our politics.

· Susan SarandonSarandon described what she sees as a shift in public discussion of Palestine and US support for Israel.

Speaking at the Venice Film Festival, where she is promoting The Echo Chamber, the Oscar-winning actor said some parts of the film industry still shun her because of her activism. “I think that the narrative has completely changed in terms of the historical relevance of Palestine and the ties of Zionists with America and our politics,” she said. “That has been a major revelation for people, how much money the United States gives to Israel; nobody really understood that.”

Sarandon, 79, said the professional consequences had not ended. “I've still had movies taken away recently because there are agencies that are telling people not to hire me still,” she told reporters. “But that's the power structure. I think (among) people, certainly internationally, I feel welcome.”

That has been a major revelation for people, how much money the United States gives to Israel; nobody really understood that.

· Susan SarandonShe discussed public awareness of US financial support for Israel.

She said resistance remained particularly strong at major studios and that the issue affected other people as well. Sarandon was dropped by her longtime talent agency, UTA, in 2023 after remarks she made at pro-Palestinian rallies held soon after the Hamas massacre.

I've still had movies taken away recently because there are agencies that are telling people not to hire me still.

· Susan SarandonSarandon said her activism continued to affect her access to film work.

The conflict has also entered this year’s Venice festival. Activists have urged organizers to raise the Palestinian flag in recognition of Palestinian directors whose films are screening there. Artistic Director Alberto Barbera said that could not happen because Italy does not formally recognize the state of Palestine, while pointing to films at the festival that portray the struggle of ordinary Palestinians.

But that's the power structure. I think (among) people, certainly internationally, I feel welcome.

· Susan SarandonShe distinguished between industry resistance and the reception she receives from people internationally.
About this summary

Originally published by Jerusalem Post in English. 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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