Susan Sarandon: The Actress Hollywood Tried to Silence
Susan Sarandon y el cine que desafía el poder
Sep 8, 2026·1 min read·Graded Spanish · word-by-word audio
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La actriz Susan Sarandon ha presentado en el Festival de Venecia su nueva película, 'The Echo Chamber', dirigida por Andrea Pallaoro y con un guion inédito de Bernardo Bertolucci. Desde que denunció públicamente el genocidio en Gaza, fue vetada en Hollywood: su agente rompió con ella y los directores recibieron presiones para no contratarla. Por eso, rodar en Italia se convirtió en su salvavidas.
La actriz también habló de la influencia de Bertolucci en su vida. Recordó que, gracias a la película 'El conformista', descubrió que el cine podía ser poético y político a la vez. Sobre 'The Echo Chamber', destacó su sensibilidad europea: "Andrea no explica todo al público, desdibuja la línea entre el pasado y el presente, entre el sueño y el recuerdo. Un director americano no podría haber dirigido esto".
En la película, Sarandon interpreta a una cantante que actúa como confesora del protagonista. La actriz bromeó diciendo que ella ha pasado por todo lo que vive su personaje, "menos meterme heroína". Al final, reflexionó: "Todos buscamos una conexión; eso es lo que cada ser humano busca ahora: conectar, ser visto, ser oído".
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Watch out, English speaker
Spanish present perfect (he/has/ha + past participle) is used for recent past events with present relevance, much like English 'have done.' But English speakers often overuse the simple past in Spanish where the present perfect is required, especially with time markers like 'esta semana' or 'hoy.' Remember: 'La actriz ha presentado su nueva película' means she has presented it and it matters now, not just that she did it.
Spanish uses the subjunctive in negative commands and in subordinate clauses after verbs of influence, emotion, or doubt. English speakers often default to the infinitive or indicative because English rarely changes verb form in these contexts. For example, 'no me contraten' means 'don't hire me' (a negative command to a group), but English speakers might mistakenly say 'no me contratan' (indicative) or use an infinitive. Also, after 'dicen que...' with a negative command, Spanish requires the subjunctive: 'dicen que no me contraten.'
Key vocabulary
vetarv.
to ban, to veto
“Fue vetada en Hollywood por sus opiniones políticas.”— She was banned in Hollywood for her political opinions.
💡 Made up of des- (negation) + dibujar (to draw), meaning 'to erase the outline'.
Grammar spotlight
Present perfect (Pretérito Perfecto): haber + past participle
A2
Used to express recent past events that have a connection to the present. Structure: haber (present tense) + past participle.
“La actriz ha presentado su nueva película en Venecia.”— The actress has presented her new film in Venice.
⚠️ Don't confuse it with the simple past: the present perfect emphasizes the effect on the present, while the simple past emphasizes a specific past time.
Subjunctive in negative commands and subordinate clauses
B1
When the main clause expresses a wish, suggestion, negation, etc., the verb in the subordinate clause uses the subjunctive. For example, 'no me contraten' is the subjunctive form of 'don't hire me'.
“Hay agencias que dicen a los productores que no me contraten.”— There are agencies that tell producers not to hire me.
⚠️ Pay attention to the subjunctive conjugation: contratar → contraten (ellos).
Sentence patterns to steal
Rodar en Italia se convirtió en su salvavidas.
Filming in Italy became her lifeline.
Subject + convertirse en + nounThe subject can be an infinitive or a noun, such as 'Viajar' or 'La música'.
La gente ha descubierto los lazos de Estados Unidos con el sionismo.
People have discovered the United States' ties to Zionism.
La gente ha + participle + ...Other past participles can be used, such as 'comprendido', 'aceptado'.
En cuanto al poder estructural, no nota ningún cambio.
As for structural power, she doesn't notice any change.
En cuanto a + noun, + sentenceThe noun can be replaced with 'el futuro', 'la política', etc.
Un director americano no podría haber dirigido esto.
An American director couldn't have directed this.
Subject + no podría haber + participle + ...The conditional perfect expresses a hypothetical about the past; the subject and verb can be replaced.
Todos buscamos una conexión; eso es lo que cada ser humano busca ahora.
We all seek a connection; that is what every human being seeks now.
Todos + verb + ...; eso es lo que + ...The verb can be replaced with 'necesitamos', 'queremos', etc.
Venice Film Festival and European Art Cinema
The Venice Film Festival (Mostra de Venecia) is the oldest film festival in the world, beginning in 1932. It is known for its emphasis on art cinema, in contrast to Hollywood commercial blockbusters. European directors like Bertolucci are often seen as film authors, emphasizing visual style and narrative ambiguity.