Susan Sarandon Says Hollywood Still Blacklists Her Over Pro‑Palestine Stance

During a press conference at the Venice Film Festival, Susan Sarandon – the Oscar‑winning star of classics like Dead Man Walking – opened up about the lingering fallout from her vocal support for Palestine. She said, almost matter‑of‑factly, that she “still has movies taken away” because certain agencies are “telling people not to hire me.”

The comments came as she promoted her new romantic drama, The Echo Chamber, directed by Italian filmmaker Andrea Pallaoro. The film, shot in Italy and Belgium, marks the final screenplay by the late Bernardo Bertolucci and also stars Luca Marinelli and Alicia Vikander. Sarandon noted that Pallaoro had been warned to stay clear of her, but he chose to ignore the cautionary notes – a decision she thanked him for.

When asked whether the narrative around the Gaza conflict is changing in Hollywood, Sarandon replied with a sigh and a hint of optimism. “I think the narrative has completely changed in terms of the historical relevance of Palestine and the ties of Zionists with America and our politics,” she said, adding that more people now recognize how much money the United States funnels to Israel.

Yet, the actress stressed that the shift in public conversation hasn’t translated into a clean‑slate for her career. “I’ve still had movies taken away recently because there are agencies that are telling people not to hire me still,” she continued, underscoring what she called “the power structure.”

Despite the professional roadblocks, Sarandon said she feels a warm reception abroad. “Internationally, I feel welcome,” she affirmed, smiling. “I found my family, I found my people, and I’m okay.”

Her story isn’t new. In 2023, after speaking at a pro‑Palestinian rally, the talent agency UTA dropped her. Earlier this year she again said she felt shunned for calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. The latest remarks suggest that, while the broader cultural conversation may be evolving, entrenched industry forces still hold sway over casting decisions.

For Sarandon, the fight is both personal and political – a reminder that activism can still cost an artist dearly, even as audiences become more attuned to the issues she champions.