Susan Sarandon claims she’s had ‘movies taken away’ from her over pro-Palestine stance
Susan Sarandon has claimed that she continues to be shut out of film work because of her vocal advocacy for Palestine, with talent agencies supposedly actively discouraging producers from casting her.
The 79-year-old Academy Award winner made the remarks at a press conference during the Venice Film Festival on Sunday, where she was promoting her latest project, The Echo Chamber.
“I’ve still had movies taken away recently because there are agencies that are telling people not to hire me still,” Ms Sarandon told reporters. “But that’s the power structure. I think within the people, certainly internationally, I feel welcome.”
She suggested that she wasn’t alone, claiming that major studios have deemed it “impossible” to employ other outspoken figures as well.
Susan Sarandon claims she’s had ‘movies taken away’ from her over pro-Palestine stance |
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The romantic drama, directed by Italian filmmaker Andrea Pallaoro, is adapted from the final screenplay written by the late Bernardo Bertolucci. It co-stars Alicia Vikander and Luca Marinelli, and was shot across Italy and Belgium.
Ms Sarandon portrays Ava, an iconic singer-songwriter later in life who recruits a music producer battling drug addiction to help craft her comeback record.
The actress claimed that Ms Pallaoro had been explicitly cautioned against working with her, yet chose to proceed regardless. “I thank Andrea for that, because he doesn’t listen to the warnings,” she said.
Ms Sarandon argued that public understanding of the Israel-Palestine conflict has undergone a fundamental transformation in recent months.
Susan Sarandon claims she’s missed out on work
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She pointed to growing awareness of the scale of American financial aid to Israel and the relationship between Zionist organisations and US political life as key shifts.
“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, that has been a major revelation for people,” she said.
“How much money the United States gives to Israel, nobody really understood that.”
She also referenced a recent vote to integrate the US and Israeli militaries, describing it as one of several developments that had opened people’s eyes. “There’s a lot of things that people are aware of now,” she added.
Susan Sarandon is an Oscar-winning actress
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Her troubles with the industry date back to 2023, when she was dropped by the talent agency UTA following remarks she made at a pro-Palestinian rally in New York.
She has previously spoken about feeling sidelined by the American film business for advocating a ceasefire in Gaza.
Stances on Israel and Palestine continue to divide the arts in the UK, too. Earlier this month, Jewish actress and Israel supporter Maureen Lipman found herself in the news after a co-star quit a theatre show because of her stance on the issue.
Gerard McCarthy departed the stage production of Right Before I Go after learning Ms Lipman had joined the project.
Susan Sarandon says she’s still losing film roles over her support for Palestine.
At the Venice Film Festival she said:
I’ve still had movies taken away recently because there are agencies telling people not to hire me.
She added that “there are still positions in my industry… pic.twitter.com/zNwipXcJde
— Clash Report (@clashreport) September 6, 2026
Ms Lipman branded him “cowardly” for exiting the series, something Mr McCarthy has firmly responded to in a strongly worded Instagram statement.
Meanwhile, trans performer Iz Hesketh similarly quit Right Before I Go after disagreeing with Ms Lipman’s stance.
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