Cannes Festival jury Paul Laverty criticizes Hollywood for “vetoing” Bardem or Susan Sarandon by supporting Gaza

The Scottish screenwriter Paul Lavertyone of the members of the official jury of the 79th edition of Cannes, has criticized Hollywood for “vetoing” performers like Javier Bardem, Susan Sarandon or Mark Ruffalo for supporting and defending Gazaaccording to ‘Deadline’

“Isn’t it fascinating to see the likes of Susan Sarandon, Javier Bardem and Mark Ruffalo banned for their views against the murder of women and children in Gaza? Shame on the people in Hollywood who do that! I have all my respect and my total solidarity. They are the best of us, I admire them,” Laverty said at the end of the jury’s press conference.

Additionally, Laverty has given his approval to the Cannes ‘Thelma & Louise’ poster, which has been criticized by French gender equality group Le Collectif 50/50 for “feminist imagewashing“, given that only five of the 22 films competing in the festival are by female directors.

“Can I say one small thing, of course, and congratulate the Cannes Film Festival and the wonderful poster they have created? Absolutely iconic. Simply brilliant”Laverty commented on the matter.

In the first question, Laverty assured that the Cannes Festival is an oasis of peace in a turbulent world, according to the aforementioned media. “Especially in these times, in these very dark times, you see so much violence and systematic violence, genocide in Gaza; the idea of ​​coming to a festival, which is a celebration of diversity, imagination and tenderness,” he answered.

Laverty was arrested on August 25 by Police Scotland when he was accused of terrorism for wearing a T-shirt with the inscription ‘Genocide in Palestine, it’s time to act.’

The Cannes Festival jury is chaired by Korean Park Chan-wook and is completed by international figures such as Demi Moore, Ruth Negga and Stellan Skarsgard; passing through directors of the stature of Chloé Zhao and the Chilean Diego Céspedes or the filmmaker Laura Wandel.