Venice: Oscar winning actor Susan Sarandon has said she is still losing film roles because of her outspoken support for Palestinians, claiming some agencies continue to discourage producers from hiring her.
Speaking at the Venice Film Festival on Sunday while promoting her new film The Echo Chamber, the actor said public attitudes had shifted. Still, resistance remained within parts of the US film industry.
“I have still had movies taken away recently because there are agencies that are telling people not to hire me,” Sarandon said, according to reports from the festival. She added that she felt more welcome internationally than within the major US studio system.
Sarandon said the “narrative” around Palestine, Israel and US policy had shifted significantly, with greater public awareness of the political and financial relationship between the United States and Israel.
However, she said that major studios remained difficult for people who had publicly criticised the occupation.
“If it is a major studio, I think it is not just me but other people who have been told that it is impossible,” she said.
Sarandon has previously faced professional consequences for her political statements. In 2023, United Talent Agency dropped her following remarks she made at a pro Palestinian rally.
She later apologised for saying that American Jews were “getting a taste” of what Muslims experience in the United States, calling the wording a “terrible mistake” and saying it wrongly suggested that Jews had not historically experienced persecution.
At Venice, Sarandon expressed appreciation for independent filmmakers who continued to collaborate with her. She specifically thanked Andrea Pallaoro, director of The Echo Chamber, for casting her despite what she described as warnings from within the industry.
The Italian production, which premiered at the festival on Sunday, is among 21 films competing for the Golden Lion, with the award set to be presented on 12 September.
Sarandon, known for films including Dead Man Walking, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Bull Durham and Thelma & Louise, said she had found a supportive community beyond the traditional Hollywood system.
Her comments come as the conflict in Gaza continues to dominate this year’s Venice Film Festival, where activists have called for recognition of Palestinian filmmakers and greater attention to Palestinian issues.
