'Shame on those who drop bombs on children': Cannes Jury member at press conference

The 2026 Cannes Film Festival took a political note today, the official Jury Press Conference concluded with a roar. Screenwriter Paul Laverty delivered a blistering political indictment that galvanised the room, drawing widespread support from the gathered international press.

In a departure from the usual festival formalities, the Scottish-Irish writer used the final moments of the conference to address the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the Middle East and the professional repercussions faced by outspoken artistes.

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"Shame on those who drop bombs on women and children in Gaza," Laverty declared to a room that, far from being stunned, broke into a wave of supportive gestures and nods. "And shame on those who blacklist people like Mark Ruffalo and Javier Bardem."

The statement highlighted a growing rift in the industry regarding the "blacklisting" of high-profile actors who have used their platforms to criticise military actions in the region. Laverty’s decision to end the conference on this note served as a powerful reminder of the intersection between global politics and the cinematic arts.