SUSAN SARANDON SAYS SHE LOSES FILM ROLES OVER PALESTINE SUPPORT

Susan Sarandon stated at the Venice Film Festival that she continues to lose film roles because of her public support for Palestinians, despite a broader shift in United States public opinion against support for Israel's military actions in Gaza. The Oscar-winning actor, who is promoting her film The Echo Chamber at the festival, told reporters that talent agencies continued to advise against hiring her. Sarandon said she had been dropped by her longstanding talent agency UTA in 2023 following remarks she made at pro-Palestinian rallies one month after the Hamas attack on Israel.

According to United States opinion polling data, support for Israel has softened and sympathy for Palestinians has risen since the start of the Gaza war in 2023. Sarandon observed that public perception of the historical context of Palestine had shifted substantially. She noted that awareness of United States financial support to Israel had increased among the public. Sarandon said she felt welcome internationally but continued to experience professional consequences within parts of the film industry, particularly among major studios.

The actor's comments come as the Venice Film Festival itself has become a site of dispute over Palestine recognition. Activists have called on festival organisers to raise the Palestinian flag in recognition of Palestinian directors screening at the event. Alberto Barbera, the festival's artistic director, stated that raising the flag was impossible because Italy does not formally recognise the state of Palestine, though he noted that several films being shown at the festival depict the struggles of ordinary Palestinians.