Susan Sarandon!
Venice, Italy, Sep 6 (EFE).-
American actress Susan Sarandon said on Sunday that she has lost film projects because of her public criticism of Israel and support for Palestinians, while arguing that public opinion about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is shifting.
Speaking at the Venice Film Festival, where she is promoting The Echo Chamber, the Oscar-winning actress regretted that some agencies continue to discourage filmmakers from hiring her because of her political views.
“I have still had movies taken away as recently, because there are agencies that are telling people not to hire me still,” Sarandon said at a news conference. “But that is the power structure. I think within the people, certainly internationally, I feel welcome.”
Sarandon believes the narrative surrounding Palestine has changed significantly, particularly regarding its historical importance and the relationship between Zionism and US politics.
“I think yes, there has been a change in terms of understanding of the situation and I think the general public,” she said. “But there are still very strongly held positions within my industry that are held by Zionists and who have not relaxed their feelings towards me.”
The actress stars alongside Italian actor Luca Marinelli and Swedish actress Alicia Vikander in The Echo Chamber, which is competing for the festival’s Golden Lion. The film, directed by Andrea Pallaoro, was made from the final screenplay written by the late Italian filmmaker Bernardo Bertolucci.
The intimate drama, set largely in a musician’s apartment, explores caregiving, dependency, desire and emotional control.
Sarandon, who won the Academy Award for best actress for 1995’s Dead Man Walking, thanked Pallaoro for casting her despite what she described as pressure within the industry.
“I thank Andrea for that because he didn’t listen to the warnings,” she said.
Sarandon also recalled her friendship with Bertolucci and her admiration for the Italian director, dating back to her first viewing of his 1970 film The Conformist. EFE gsm/bks/dmv
