Veteran actress Susan Sarandon used her press conference at the Venice Film Festival on September 6 to warn that her outspoken support for the Palestinian cause still costs her work in Hollywood. While promoting her new film The Echo Chamber, the 79‑year‑old Oscar winner said agencies and major studios have “told people not to hire me” because of her activism.
Industry backlash amid changing public sentiment
Sarandon argued that the narrative around the United States’ financial aid to Israel has shifted dramatically, noting that many Americans now question the scale of that support. “That has been a major revelation for people, how much money the United States gives to Israel, nobody really understood that,” she said.
Recent U.S. opinion polls show a softening of support for Israel and a rise in sympathy for Palestinians since the Gaza war began in 2023. Sarandon said, however, that the backlash she faces is not merely a relic of the past. “I’ve still had movies taken away recently because there are agencies that are telling people not to hire me still,” she told reporters.
Career setbacks and recent agency split
She recalled being dropped by her longtime talent agency UTA in 2023 after she participated in pro‑Palestinian rallies following the Hamas attack on Israel that sparked the Gaza conflict. Sarandon added that the resistance to hiring outspoken critics of Israel remains especially strong among major studios.
“If it is a major studio, I think it’s not just with me but with other people who have been told that that is impossible,” she said, thanking director Andrea Pallaoro for casting her in The Echo Chamber. The film, adapted from a screenplay by the late Italian filmmaker Bernardo Bertolucci, follows an aging singer who hires a music producer recovering from drug addiction to work on a comeback album. The movie is one of 21 entries competing for the Golden Lion at Venice, which will be awarded on September 12.
Venice festival reflects broader cultural debate
The controversy surrounding Sarandon’s career mirrors a larger cultural clash at this year’s Venice Film Festival. Activists have called on organizers to raise the Palestinian flag in recognition of Palestinian directors showing work at the event. Artistic Director Alberto Barbera said the request is impossible because Italy does not formally recognize the state of Palestine, but he noted that several films on the Lido highlight the everyday struggles of Palestinians.
Despite the tension, Sarandon said she feels welcomed internationally and concluded her remarks with a note of personal resilience: “I found my family, I found my people and I’m OK,” drawing applause from the audience.
What this means for the film industry
The actress’s comments underscore an ongoing debate within Hollywood about the limits of political expression and the role of talent agencies in enforcing industry norms. While some studios appear to be pulling back from hiring artists who take a public stance on the Israel‑Palestine issue, others continue to back projects that explore the conflict from a humanitarian perspective.
Industry observers will be watching how Sarandon’s new film performs at Venice and whether her experience signals a broader shift in how Hollywood navigates politically charged topics. For now, the actress remains determined to continue her work, regardless of the professional obstacles she says she still faces.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
