Gwyneth Paltrow at centre of Saudi Arabia ‘arts-washing’ row: Fury as Hollywood star who effectively retired from acting a decade ago is set to fly to despotic Muslim country for film festival used by regime to distract from human rights abuses

Gwyneth Paltrow – who effectively retired from film more than a decade ago – has found himself at the center of a doctor-washing controversy after agreeing to fly to Saudi Arabia for a controversial film festival.

The Red Sea Film Festival is said to have offered 'talent' a million dollars each to appear and has so far lured actors Will Smith, Sharon Stone and Johnny Depp to the red carpet.

Oscar winner Paltrow, 51, is the latest and most surprising A-list signee, especially since outside of her appearances as Pepper Potts in Marvel films, she hasn't starred in a film since 2015's Mortdecai.

She said in a 2020 interview that she “hit the bullseye” at age 26 by winning an Oscar for Shakespeare in Love and then realized she “wasn't that into acting.” Since then, she has made a fortune with her wellness brand Goop.

A spokesperson for the festival confirmed yesterday that Paltrow will appear in 'In Conversation' with Jomana Al Rashid, the CEO of Arab News, on Wednesday evening.

Festival: Gwyneth Paltrow finds himself at the center of a 'doctor-washing' controversy after agreeing to fly to Saudi Arabia for a controversial film festival

Red Carpet: Johnny Depp Attends the Opening Night Screening of 'HWJN' at the 2023 Red Sea International Film Festival

Actor: Will Smith speaks onstage at In Conversation with Will Smith at this year's Red Sea International Film Festival

Event: Sharon Stone attends the Women In Cinema Gala during the 2023 Red Sea International Film Festival on December 1, 2023

The festival in Jeddah is run by a foundation chaired by the Saudi Minister of Culture.

Critics see it as part of the regime's 'arts-washing' and 'sports-washing', where glamorous international events are held to divert attention from human rights abuses.

Homosexuality remains a crime punishable by death in the kingdom and widespread outrage greeted the 2018 murder of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi by agents of the Saudi government in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Turkey.

On Friday, the Puck news website published an item on “Saudi Arabia's red carpet,” claiming: “$1 million was the standing offer going around among the talent agencies to get big stars to walk the carpet… Will Smith has maybe even got more than that.'

Depp appears because he has a long-standing relationship with the festival, as its founding was one of the financiers of his comeback film Jeanne Du Barry.

A spokesperson for Paltrow did not respond to requests for comment about her compensation for participating.

Speaking at the festival last night (Saturday), Oscar winner Will Smith – who built his reputation after the 2022 Oscars blowout – said he was keen to work in the Kingdom and said he had ambitions to make: 'A film with Denzel – yes! A film with Denzel Washington in Saudi Arabia!'

He added, “You know, I think what I'm really excited about right now is the transfer of knowledge. I really want to teach. I really want to teach film. I want to work with people on big films.

“And what's exciting to me about Saudi Arabia is that it's a brand new filmmaking community. So they are brand new filmmakers. And there's a style of global storytelling where I've traveled the world and I understand little tweaks that make things global – to be able to take local stories and make them global.

“So I'm looking forward to traveling the world and collaborating and being able to teach and build a global storytelling community. I have a deep faith in the power of sharing our stories with each other to help heal wounds; to help get to know each other.

Star: Sofía Vergara attends the Women In Cinema Gala during the Red Sea International Film Festival 2023 on December 1 Sofia Vergara

Pink: Sharon Stone turned heads at the HWJN screening at the 2023 Red Sea International Film Festival in Saudi Arabia

Dress: Model Alessandra Ambrosio looked stunning in Saudi Arabia

Suit: Gossip Girl Actor Ed Westwick Attended the Opening Night of 'HWJN' at the Red Sea International Film Festival

Film: Depp appears because he has a long-standing relationship with the festival, as its foundation was one of the financiers of his comeback film Jeanne Du Barry

'I feel like this next phase of my life is going to work in global collaboration to create an exchange of our stories that creates bridges. I just don't feel like politics will necessarily bring about the change, so I'm putting the burden on myself and on global artists. Absolute. I love it here. Someone tell me where my house should be!'

The chairman of the jury this year is Elvis and Moulin Rouge! Director Baz Luhrmann who also spoke warmly about Saudi Arabia.

The country banned cinemas until six years ago, but is now investing millions in incentives for the festival as part of its strategy to shift the economy away from its dependence on oil.

Its selection as the opening title is seen as a sign of the growing strength of Saudi Arabia's film and TV industry, just six years after the lifting of the country's 35-year cinema ban as part of the 2030 strategy aimed at on getting the economy moving. away from oil.

Baz Luhrmann said he came to Saudi Arabia before accepting the role. 'I came in a quiet way to do my own research… for 30 years there was no cinema and suddenly films are being seen. I got to know the studios, but what really struck me were the young, up-and-coming filmmakers and how hungry they are to tell their stories. That's why I'm here. At a time when politics is failing us, storytellers need to be heard and that is what we want to support here.'

A spokesperson for Human Rights Watch said earlier this year: 'The Saudi government has been using this high-profile festival as a means to draw attention to its egregious human rights record for a number of years – and they continue to do so. Unfortunately.

“The country's human rights record is only getting worse. We documented a terrible case of a retired teacher who was sentenced to death based on his peaceful Twitter and YouTube activities in July this year.

“It is deeply concerning that this festival targets powerful artists, performers and celebrities who have exercised freedom of expression through their art and yet participate in a festival organized by the government that will not tolerate that freedom.”

The charity's message is: 'If you must go, use your platform to raise awareness about the human rights situation in Saudi Arabia.'