Cannes-winning writer claims actors ‘blacklisted’ for opposing Israel amid Gaza war

Paul Laverty, a Cannes Film Festival jury member and acclaimed screenwriter, has accused Hollywood studios of blacklisting actors who oppose Israel amid the ongoing Gaza war. Laverty singled out Susan Sarandon, Javier Bardem, and Mark Ruffalo as examples of stars marginalized for their outspoken criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza. He praised the French festival for featuring Sarandon’s image from “Thelma and Louise” on its poster, highlighting the contrast with Hollywood’s treatment of these actors. Laverty, known for his work on Cannes-winning films like “I, Daniel Blake,” condemned the studios for sidelining voices opposing violence against Palestinian civilians. Sarandon, who was dropped from projects in 2023 after speaking at a pro-Palestinian rally, has publicly stated that her stance on Gaza has made it nearly impossible for her to appear on television or find work in Hollywood. Laverty, who was previously arrested for his activism with the anti-Israel group Palestine Action, urged filmmakers not to shy away from political engagement, invoking Shakespeare’s “King Lear” to emphasize the importance of speaking out against injustice. His comments come amid broader debates at Cannes about the intersection of art and politics, with jury president Park Chan-wook affirming that political expression in film remains valuable when artistically rendered. The festival also highlighted concerns about the growing influence of tech giants, with Meta’s recent multi-year sponsorship deal drawing criticism from Laverty over the concentration of power among right-wing libertarian billionaires. Artificial intelligence and its implications were another significant topic of discussion at Cannes. The controversy surrounding Hollywood’s response to the Gaza conflict and the role of political activism in the arts underscores ongoing tensions between creative freedom, industry pressures, and geopolitical issues within the global entertainment landscape.