Cate Blanchett Reflects on #MeToo Movement’s Impact

Oscar-winning actress Cate Blanchett expressed her concerns on Sunday about the rapid decline of the #MeToo movement since it gained traction in 2017, calling it “over in the blink of an eye.”

During her talk at the Cannes Film Festival, Blanchett noted that while many individuals with platforms can safely share their experiences, everyday women are also speaking out. However, she questioned why the conversation seems to have shut down. “What this investigation shows is that there is systemic abuse, not just in this industry but in all industries. If we don’t identify the problem, we can’t solve it. We can’t close the conversation and move on,” she emphasized.

Additionally, she mentioned the persistent imbalance of gender representation on film sets. “I’m still on a movie set and I’m counting people every day, and it’s still the same… every morning, there’s 10 women and 75 men,” she remarked. She acknowledged that while she’s accustomed to this disparity, it becomes tiresome. “Anyone who enters a homogeneous workplace will become bored. I think that influences the work,” Blanchett said.

Reflecting further, she shared that some people talk about the #MeToo movement as if it has really concluded, which she disagreed with. To her, it feels like the movement never truly established itself. “People were trying to dismantle and discredit a voice that was just beginning to come out from under the floorboards. I think it’s a great shame that it hasn’t taken root,” she stated.

Blanchett has previously accused former Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein of inappropriate behavior, highlighting her experiences as part of the broader discussion on abuse within the industry. “I think, like most predators, he mainly preyed on the weak. I mean, I got a bad feeling from him… He used to say to me, ‘We’re not friends,'” she told an outlet in 2018.

Weinstein’s downfall in 2017, fueled by numerous allegations of sexual harassment, was a pivotal moment for the #MeToo movement, which has since spread beyond the entertainment sector.