Susan Sarandon looked jovial as she attended the SXSW premiere of The Gutter in Austin, Texas on Tuesday – four months after she was dropped by her talent agency over her shock remarks at a pro-Palestine rally.
The Oscar winner, 77, claimed that Jews are ‘getting a taste of what it feels like to be Muslim’ amid the war with Hamas at a rally in New York City on 17 November.
Sarandon was dropped by her Hollywood agent, United Talent Agency, which is run by Jewish CEO Jeremy Zimmer. UTA had represented Sarandon since 2014. She later apologized for her remarks.
The star wore a white Rolling Stones t-shirt and leather jacket, paired with black slacks and patterned trainers for his look.
Sarandon also posed with The Gutter co-star D’Arcy Carden on the red carpet.
Susan Sarandon looked jovial as she attended the SXSW premiere of The Gutter in Austin, Texas on Tuesday – four months after she was dropped by her talent agency over her shocking remarks at a pro-Palestine rally
The Oscar winner, 77, claimed that Jews are ‘getting a taste of what it feels like to be Muslim’ amid the war with Hamas at a rally in New York City on 17 November. Sarandon was dropped by United Talent Agency, which is run by Jewish CEO Jeremy Zimmer
She stars as Linda Curson in the bowling-themed sports comedy that tells the story of Walt (Shameik Moore), who works at the AlleyCatz bowling alley.
He is pressured to embrace his bowling talent, prompting a backlash from opponents who try to undermine his sudden pro success.
The Gutter also stars Adam Brody and Jay Ellis.
Sarandon’s remarks at a pro-Palestine rally in New York City on November 17 sparked widespread outrage, with critics saying they ignored the centuries of prejudice and anti-Semitism endured by the Jewish community.
She later said she said her remarks last month were ‘a terrible mistake’.
“This wording was a terrible mistake as it suggests that until recently Jews have been strangers to persecution when the opposite is true,” she said.
She said the rally was “to highlight the urgent humanitarian crisis in Gaza and call for a ceasefire,” and said she had not planned to speak at the gathering but was invited to address the crowd.
‘Intending to communicate my concern about an increase in hate crimes, I said that Jewish Americans, the targets of rising anti-Semitic hatred, ‘are getting a taste of what it is like to be a Muslim in this country, so often subjected to violence.’ ‘
The star wore a white Rolling Stones t-shirt and leather jacket, paired with black slacks and patterned trainers for his look
Sarandon also posed with The Gutter co-star D’Arcy Carden on the red carpet
Sarandon said her words ignored “centuries of oppression and genocide in Europe” as well as recent atrocities, such as the Tree of Life synagogue attack in which 11 were murdered in October 2018 in Pittsburgh – the worst attack on the Jewish community in modern American history.
Sarandon added: ‘I deeply regret that I diminished this reality and hurt people with this comment.
‘It was my intention to show solidarity in the fight against bigotry of all kinds and I am sorry I did not do that.’
Since the October 7 Hamas terror attack that killed 1,200 Israelis and the reprisals in Gaza that have killed 15,000 Palestinians, Sarandon has participated in several demonstrations in New York.
The veteran left-wing activist has been filmed joining in the chant ‘from the river to the sea’, a battle cry used by both pro-Palestinian activists and Hamas, which many see as an anti-Semitic call for the destruction of Israel.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show star has also retweeted posts on X celebrating Pink Floyd’s Roger Waters, who has been dogged for years by allegations of anti-Semitism.
The couple hit the red carpet at the festival
Susan was seen chatting as she arrived at the event
Sarandon’s views on SXSW come as artists including Soda Blonde, Mick Flannery and Kneecap have pulled out of the festival over opposition to the US Army being a sponsor, citing US support for Israel’s military operation in Gaza.
Ireland’s culture minister has defended attending SXSW in the wake of the backlash.
Catherine Martin said she wanted to use her trip to coincide with St Patrick’s Day to “make clear her disgust at the devastation that has been unleashed on Gaza.”
She outlined that she has the utmost respect for their freedom of expression as artists and assured them that she will use every opportunity she has to make clear her disgust at the devastation that has been unleashed in Gaza.
“This includes the St. Patrick’s Day consular reception in Austin tonight, where she will outline for attendees the Irish government’s calls for an immediate ceasefire, the unconditional release of all hostages and a massive and sustained increase in humanitarian aid, food and medicine to the population in Gaza.’
The statement from the department added that the events aim to promote Ireland’s creative and film industries and are supported by the Department of Foreign Affairs, Screen Ireland, IDA, Tourism Ireland and Music from Ireland.
The State Department said in a statement to the PA: ‘South by Southwest is a combination of festivals and events that include film, interactive media, music and conferences on a variety of topics, and takes place in March each year in Austin, Texas.
Sarandon’s views on SXSW come as artists including Soda Blonde (pictured), Mick Flannery and Kneecap have pulled out of the festival over opposition to the US Army being a sponsor, citing US support for Israel’s military operation in Gaza.
Ireland’s Culture Minister Catherine Martin has defended her trip to attend the SXSW festival in Texas
‘In 2023, over 345,000 people from 127 countries participated.
‘Ireland House at SXSW – which runs from 11.-15. March – provides an opportunity for a wide range of Irish businesses, agencies and artists to showcase the best of Irish creativity in science, innovation, technology, culture and the arts.
‘The department is aware that a number of artists due to take part in Music From Ireland at SXSW have withdrawn from the event. The department supports artists’ right to freedom of expression and does not advise artists in relation to choices they make about where to perform.
“In relation to the war in Gaza, Ireland has strongly argued for the upholding of international humanitarian law, a humanitarian ceasefire and continued humanitarian assistance.”