Cate Blanchett is perhaps one of the most recognized and well-respected actresses of her generation. The two-time Oscar-winning actress has always been known to be outspoken about what she thinks is right.
And it seems like on the 2024 red carpet for the Cannes Festival, she did exactly that. Keep reading to learn more about what transpired.
Oscar-winning actress Cate Blanchett has been divided on the internet after she debuted her dress on the Cannes red carpet. The Australian actress was at the festival promoting her upcoming film, Rumours.
The actress attended the premiere of Donald Trump’s biopic The Apprentice, wearing a form-fitting Jean Paul Gaultier gown designed by Haider Ackermann.
The dress’s front was black, while its back was light pink. The white was photographed as white. Inside, the dress had a green lining. As Blanchett gathered her dress in her hands to reveal the green lining, the red of the carpet against her dress bore a stark resemblance to a Palestinian flag.
People on social media were quick to realize that this was the actress’ way of showing her support for Gaza as Israel’s war against Palestine continues into its eighth month.
“When I grow up I want to become Cate Blanchett, and have the subtlety to think the carpet is already red, so I can just wear a black & white dress with green lining to make such a strong point,” Dr Zahira Jaser posted on X.
“CATE BLANCHETT YOU ARE THE REALEST,” another user wrote in support of the actress.
But it seems not everyone was happy at Cate’s nod of support to the Palestinian cause. One user commented on Facebook on a picture of her, “People is obsessed… anyway the dress looks kinda cheap no?”
Another Facebook user wrote, “I wish she visits Palestine just like the way she’s dressed. And stay there.”
It seems that the internet was divided about Blanchett’s statement. In October 2023, Blanchett was one of the 55 artists who advocated publicly for a ceasefire. She signed an open letter to US President Joe Biden urging him to call for one.
“We urge your administration, and all world leaders, to honor all the lives in the Holy Land and call for and facilitate a ceasefire without delay – an end to the bombing of Gaza, and the safe release of hostages,” the letter read. The letter was also signed by other Hollywood heavyweights, including Joaquin Phoenix and Kristen Stewart.
In November, Blanchett spoke eloquently at the European Parliament Plenary Session in her capacity as a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Refugee Agency. She reiterated her support for a ceasefire in Gaza Strip.
She said, “I am not Syrian. I am not Ukrainian. I am not Yemeni. I am not Afghani. I am not from South Sudan. I am not from Israel or Palestine. I am not a politician. I am not even a pundit. But I am a witness.”
The actress went on, “And having witnessed the human cost of war, violence and persecution visiting refugees from across the global, I cannot look away. Over the past few weeks, we have all, in horror, been watching the continuing violence in Israel and Gaza. The conflict has claimed – and is still claiming – thousands of innocent lives.”
The actress ended her urgent plea with saying that she would “urge each and every one of you here today to stand firm in challenging the dangerous myth pedalled far too widely and stoking far too much fear and hostility that each and every refugee is headed here to Europe”.
According to the latest statistic from Gaza’s Health Ministry, Israel’s retaliation has killed more than 35,000 Palestinians, while over 79,000 have been injured. Most of these people have been civilians.
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This is such a strong statement from Cate Blanchett. Without using a single word, she has made her feelings known! What do you think about her bold statement? Let us know in the comments.
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