Jennifer Lawrence spoke to Palestine at a press conference at the San Sebastian Film Festival on Friday, saying what is happening in Gaza is “no less than genocide.”
The Oscar winner, who has been at the festival to screen her new film, “Die My Love,” and win the prestigious Donostia Award, has been asked several times during the presser to comment on the war in Gaza. The festival moderators tried to stop the question, but Lawrence eloquently expressed his opinion on the issue towards the end of the meeting.
“I’m scared, it’s frustrating. What’s going on is huge in genocide and it’s unacceptable,” she said when she asked about Palestine. “I’m scared for my kids, for all of our children.”
She then spoke about American politics and said it was “very sad” that the current “disrespect and discourse” would become the current state of affairs for the children raised today.
“So it would be completely normal for them that children who are voting at 18 now have no integrity in politics. Politicians lie, they have no sympathy,” she said. “And everyone should remember that even if they ignore what’s going on on one side of the world, it won’t be long until it’s on your side.”
However, Lawrence also reminded the journalist’s room that artists should not be held responsible for solving world political issues. “I wish there was something I could do to fix this extremely complicated and dishonorable situation. It breaks my heart,” she said. “But the reality is that our fear of speaking too many of these questions or answering too many questions is that my words are used to add more fire and rhetoric to what is in the hands of elected officials.”
She continued. “I don’t let people focus on who is responsible, what they can do, and when they need to show up and vote, and take away the individuals who are actually responsible for free speech from the heat of the actors and artists who are trying to express their freedom of art.”
Earlier in the meeting, Lawrence acknowledged that America’s “free speech and freedom of expression are being attacked,” making the film festival even more sacred.
“We can see each other’s stories, connect and learn from each other, and more importantly, we can all connect and recognize that we are all important and we deserve empathy and freedom,” she said.
“Die My Love” premieres in San Sebastian on Friday night. It follows Grace (Laurence). Grace (Lawrence) is a new mother with a mental health deteriorating, sending her relationship with Jackson (Robert Pattinson) into unsettling realms. The film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in May, and won a six-minute standing ovation and praise for Lawrence’s fearless performance. During the fest, the film was purchased by Mbi in a massive $24 million deal.
In a review of “Die My Love” variety, Chief film critic Owen Greiberman said Lawrence’s performance “feels so explosive, but emotionally, I feel the power of her existence, the hellish quality of rage. She’s Ace Wastrell.”
