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Susan Sarandon arrived in Spain to receive a lifetime achievement award at the 40th Goya Awards. During a press conference held in Barcelona, the American actress spoke about her strong support for the Palestinian cause, which is a priority for the current Spanish government, and revealed the impact this has had on her artistic career in Hollywood.
Consequences of Supporting Palestine on Hollywood Career Opportunities
Sarandon explained that her public support for Palestine, especially her participation in several pro-Gaza rallies, led to a deterioration of her professional opportunities in the United States. She was dropped by the UTA agency in 2023 due to her political stances, and she has largely lost most opportunities for television appearances and major film roles in Hollywood.
The actress said, "I was fired from the agency after calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, and it has become difficult for me to appear on screens or participate in major productions," adding that this situation pushed her to seek artistic agents in Europe, particularly in the United Kingdom and Italy.
A New Artistic Career Outside the United States
With her career shifting outside America, Sarandon has worked on small and independent projects, mostly in Europe. For example, she participated in an Italian film and a play at the Old Vic Theatre in London that lasted several months. However, she clarified that some new directors who contacted her received warnings not to hire her, which reinforced her tendency to work on smaller, less widely distributed projects.
Currently, Sarandon is in post-production for an Italian film titled The Echo Chamber, co-starring Alicia Vikander, as well as a new Indian film called The Accompanist.
Praise for the Spanish Government's Position and Support for Artists
During her remarks, Sarandon expressed admiration for the clear ethical stance shown by the Spanish government under its president, highlighting the significant support Spain has provided to Palestine amid the war on Gaza. She also praised actor Javier Bardem’s strong vocal support for the cause.
She said, "Seeing Spain’s strong and clear ethical position alleviates our sense of isolation and gives us hope, especially given the absence of such voices in the American media."
International Support and the Importance of Clear Positions
Sarandon also pointed to the importance of stances taken by other countries such as Ireland, which has also demonstrated firmness and ethical commitment to the Palestinian cause. She affirmed that these positions represent significant support for those demanding justice amid a difficult political climate.
She expressed deep shame over her country’s funding of what she described as genocidal crimes against the Palestinian people.
Criticism of Conditions in the United States
Sarandon’s criticisms were not limited to the Middle East situation; she also addressed domestic issues in the United States, particularly the role of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which she described as "unconstitutional" and engaging in illegal activities targeting predominantly African American and Latino populations.
She praised communities that have resisted ICE policies, expressing her belief that the fundamental solution to such problems cannot come from political leaders but rather from grassroots movements and local communities fighting for change.