The esteemed Cannes Film Festival 2026 jury member Paul Laverty has condemned Hollywood and accused the industry of allegedly sidelining actors over their views on Gaza. Laverty stood up for stars like Susan Sarandon and Mark Ruffalo and claimed that the industry reportedly silenced voices speaking out against the war. 

“Cannes has a wonderful poster [of 'Thelma and Louise']. Isn’t it fascinating to see some of them, like Susan Sarandon, Javier Bardem, and Mark Ruffalo, blacklisted because of their views in Gaza?” he said during the press conference. 

“Shame on Hollywood people who do that. My respect and total solidarity with them,” he added. The Scottish screenwriter was part of the panel alongside Park Chan-wook, Demi Moore, Chloé Zhao, and actor Stellan Skarsgård, and others.

For further context, more than 350 film stars signed an open letter last year on the eve of Cannes, condemning silence over the impact of Israel’s ongoing military campaign in Gaza. These celebrities include Richard Gere, Susan Sarandon, Mark Ruffalo, and Javier Bardem. Later, Sarandon talked about how she’s been shunned in Hollywood for her pro-Gaza views. 

In addition to Levarty, the jury president himself had a few words to say about how art, like those displayed at Cannes each year, and politics might not be that far apart.

Cannes 2026 jury president Park Chan-wook reflects on art and politics

Park Chan-wook has been responsible for some of the most pivotal moments in South Korean cinema. The twisted yet dark themes of numbers like The Handmaiden and the famous Oldboy, in fact, happen to reflect his stance that art and politics are actually twin flames and not oil and water.

"I don’t think politics and art should be divided, I think it’s a strange concept to think that they’re in conflict with each other," he declared, sitting on the jury. He argued that films that have political weightage should not be considered tasteless in terms of art. But at the same time, he vouched for films that did not necessarily create political tension as well.

Discussions at the Cannes Film Festival are dominated by political tensions, and Park Chan-wook and Paul Laverty have become one of the most outspoken voices at the event. Laverty's comments have reignited the debate over censorship, activism, and artistic freedom in Hollywood. Additionally, they have also shone a light on the extent to which global politics continue to impact the film industry in 2026. 

What do you think about celebrities using their platforms for political activism? Let us know in the comments.

Written by

Bias Sinha

Edited by

Adiba Nizami