Israeli Actress Takes On Hollywood
Swell Ariel Or, star of ‘The Beauty Queen of Jerusalem’ and ‘Kissufim,’ continues to show up for auditions despite anti-Israel bias.
In my recent interview with Israeli actress Swell Ariel Or, she shared how being Israeli in Hollywood has become a political statement, especially in the wake of the October 7 attacks. Casting decisions are increasingly based not just on talent, but on her stance regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Despite these challenges, Swell remains committed to her craft, believing that building connections with Jews and allies in the industry is key to overcoming bias.
Swell also discussed her latest project, Kissufim, a film set on a kibbutz near Gaza, now streaming on Netflix. Tragically, many of the real-life residents of Kibbutz Kissufim, where much of the movie was filmed, were victims of the October 7 terrorist attacks. Swell emphasized how the film highlights the idealistic and peaceful nature of kibbutzim, countering misconceptions that portray them as extremist settlements.
Despite the difficult climate, Swell continues to use her platform to raise awareness about Israel and combat antisemitism. While progress has been slow, she is hopeful that things will improve. Swell remains determined to fight against the bias in Hollywood, believing that the current trends will pass, and that her perseverance will pay off.
Read the full interview in The Algemeiner: Israeli Actors Face a New Bias in Hollywood; But They Are Determined to Keep Fighting.
For more insight into Swell Ariel Or’s journey as an Israeli actress in Hollywood, you can read my previous interview with her from November 2023 in the Jewish Journal of Los Angeles, where she discusses her role in educating the public about Israel and fighting antisemitism during challenging times. Swell had just moved to Los Angeles when both the actors’ strike and the violence in Israel disrupted her plans, but she quickly pivoted to using her platform for activism.
If you’d like to listen to the full audio interview with Swell, where we cover her thoughts on Hollywood bias, her acting career, and her activism, you can find it on my Substack here.
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