Cannes Film Festival jury member Paul Laverty criticises Hollywood over what he describes as “blacklisting” actors who publicly oppose the war in Gaza. Speaking at the festival’s jury press conference, Laverty says performers including Susan Sarandon, Javier Bardem and others have been treated adversely after taking political stances. Deadline and Variety report that Laverty directed the remarks at major studios, saying “shame on Hollywood,” and he is quoted as arguing that these actors are among the best in the industry. The Independent similarly reports the charge that Hollywood is “blacklisting” Sarandon for her views. Al-Monitor adds that Laverty contrasts Hollywood’s approach with Cannes, noting that the festival is prominently displaying an image of Sarandon from “Thelma and Louise” on this year’s official Cannes poster. The reports describe Laverty as a Cannes-winning writer, and mention that he spoke alongside other jury members at the press event. The outlets do not provide independent evidence of the alleged blacklisting, but they agree on Laverty’s public criticism and the names he cited.
Cannes juror Paul Laverty criticizes Hollywood “blacklisting” of Gaza-opposing actors
Cannes Film Festival jury member Paul Laverty criticises Hollywood over what he describes as “blacklisting” actors who publicly oppose the war in Gaza. Speaking at the festival’s jury press conference...
- Paul Laverty, a Cannes Film Festival jury member, criticises Hollywood for “blacklisting” actors who oppose the Gaza war.
- He specifically mentions Susan Sarandon, Javier Bardem, and other actors he says have faced consequences after speaking out.
- Laverty delivers the remarks at the jury press conference during Cannes.
- Reports say Laverty contrasts Hollywood’s alleged stance with Cannes’ use of Sarandon’s image on the official 2026 festival poster for “Thelma and Louise.”
- The outlets describe Laverty’s comments as directed at major studios, which he says are absent from the festival year.
A Cannes Film Festival juror has criticised Hollywood for “blacklisting” actors such as Susan Sarandon for opposing the Gaza war.
3 months agoHollywood should be ashamed of the way it has treated stars like Susan Sarandon, Javier Bardem and Mark Ruffalo for opposing Israel's war in Gaza, a member of the Cannes Film Festival jury said Tuesday, with big studios conspicuously absent this year.Paul Laverty, who wrote two films that won Cannes' top prize, was cheered as he lambasted the studios and praised the French festival for using an image of Sarandon in "Thelma and Louise" for its poster this year.
3 months agoCannes jury member Paul Laverty ended the festival’s jury press conference by slamming Hollywood for blacklisting actors such as Susan Sarandon who have spoken out against the war in Gaza. The Oscar winner, whose character in “Thelma & Louise” is on the official 2026 Cannes poster, went viral in February after revealing she lost her […]
3 months agoDespite the star wattage on the Cannes Film Festival jury with Demi Moore, Stellan Skargard, Ruth Negga and Chloe Zhao, one of the more candid statement came from Ken Loach’s Cannes winning scribe Paul Laverty who buttoned up today’s jury presser by blasting Hollywood, which he said has blacklisted Susan Sarandon, Javier Bardem and Mark […]
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