Susan Sarandon says she is losing roles over her stance on Gaza
American actress Susan Sarandon said at the Venice Film Festival in Italy that she is still losing roles in Hollywood because of her public criticism of Israel’s war in Gaza. Asharq Al-Awsat reports.
Statement at the film festival
Sarandon, who appeared in the film “The Echo Chamber,” said at a press conference that public perceptions of the war in Gaza and US support for Israel have changed. According to her, some agencies still advise against hiring her, causing her to lose roles.
The actress also said that the public has a better understanding of the situation, but there are still people in the film industry who view her negatively because of her stance. Sarandon added that she has found a circle of people who support her.
Split with the agency
In November 2023, United Talent Agency ended its cooperation with Sarandon after her remarks at a pro-Palestinian rally. At the time, the actress said that Jewish Americans, due to rising antisemitic violence, were experiencing what Muslims in the United States face.
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Sarandon later publicly apologized and called her choice of words a serious mistake. She noted that her statement could have created the false impression that Jews had not faced persecution until recently.
Festival context
Sarandon is one of Hollywood’s most prominent supporters of the pro-Palestinian campaign and critics of the war in Gaza. According to Gaza’s Hamas-controlled Health Ministry, about 73,500 Palestinians have been killed and another 174,500 injured since October 2023.
The Venice Film Festival is also set to premiere “NAZA,” a film about the killing of civilians in Gaza. It was made by Israeli directors Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor, who won an Oscar for the documentary “No Other Land.”
