Actress Susan Sarandon, 79, has stated that her political activism continues to influence her career, including alleged instances of being "blacklisted" by elements within the film industry. Sarandon made these remarks during the Venice Film Festival on Sunday, September 7, 2026, while attending the premiere of her new film, "The Echo Chamber."
Sarandon, who plays a legendary singing star planning a career comeback in "The Echo Chamber," addressed questions about shifts in the entertainment industry. "I’ve still had movies taken away recently, because there are agencies that are telling people not to hire me still," she told reporters, as per People. She attributed these actions to the industry's power structure.
However, Sarandon also expressed optimism about broader public awareness. "I think that the narrative has completely changed. There’s a lot of things that people are aware of now," she said. She noted that while major studios might still harbor strong positions, she feels a sense of welcome internationally.
"Certainly internationally, I feel welcome. So it depends. If it’s a major studio, I think there is, not just with me, but with other people... that have been told that that is impossible," Sarandon stated.
She specifically thanked the director of "The Echo Chamber," Andrea Pallaoro, for not succumbing to industry warnings against hiring her. "I thank Andrea for that, because he didn’t listen to the warnings," she said. "So I think, yes, there has been a change in terms of understanding of the situation, and I think the general public, but there are still very strongly held positions within my industry held by Zionists and [those] who have not relaxed their feelings towards me. But I found my family, I found my people, and I’m okay."
This is not the first time Sarandon has spoken about professional repercussions for her pro-Palestinian remarks. Earlier in 2026, she recalled being dropped by her talent agency after calling for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas during a press conference in Barcelona, Spain.
"The Echo Chamber," directed by Andrea Pallaoro and adapted from Bernardo Bertolucci's final screenplay, follows the relationship between a physiotherapist played by Alicia Vikander and a music producer portrayed by Luca Marinelli. The film is scheduled for release in Italy on September 10, with a UK release date yet to be confirmed.
