Cate Blanchett calls out cancel culture and says we will be ‘destined to repeat’ mistakes

Cate Blanchett has called out cancel culture and said society will be ‘destined to repeat’ our mistakes if history is airbrushed.

The Australian actress, 53, said she thinks it is important to have a ‘healthy critique’ of historical works of art and continue to study them despite the artists’ actions.

She used Pablo Picasso as an example as she said she could ‘only imagine’ what happened at the time but praised him for creating Guernica, which she deemed ‘one of the greatest work of art ever’.

She told Radio Times: ‘You look at Picasso. You can only imagine what went on in, outside and around his studio. 

‘But do you look at Guernica and say that is one of the greatest works of art ever? Yes, it’s a fact. I think it’s important to have a healthy critique.’ 

Candid: Cate Blanchett has called out cancel culture and said society will be ‘destined to repeat’ our mistakes if history is airbrushed

Cate, whose new movie Tar has been accused of being ‘anti-woman’, also argued that society will be ‘destined’ to repeat mistakes if we airbrush history.

She said: ‘If you don’t read older books that are slightly offensive because of what they say in a historical context, then you will never grapple with the minds of the time [and] we are destined to repeat that stuff.’

Cate went on to say that her new movie Tar used cancel culture as a plot device to tackle ‘existential’ issues.

Elsewhere in the interview, Cate also addressed the double standards women face in positions of power.

She said: ‘As a woman, when you don’t wield your power – in the way we see men wield their power – then people think you don’t know what you’re doing, you don’t know what you think.’ 

Cate’s latest movie Tar has come under fire despite her winning a Golden Globe and a Critics’ Choice Award for her role in the drama.

In the film, she plays Lydia Tár, who rises to become the first-ever female conductor of a German orchestra before she is revealed to be a narcissistic bully.

The troubled high-profile composter is just days away from recording the symphony that will elevate her career when her world begins to unravel.

Cancel culture: The actress, 53, who played a composer in Tar, said she thinks it is important to have a ‘healthy critique’ of historical works of art and continue to study them

After one of her former students commits suicide, Lydia is accused of having inappropriate relationships with her female protégés. 

While many have condemned the critically acclaimed film as ‘anti-woman’, Cate came to its defence in an interview with BBC Radio 4.

She described the movie, directed by Todd Field, as ‘very provocative’ and said it was ‘a mediation on power – and power is genderless’.

Interview: Read the full interview in Radio Times’ BAFTA film special

The backlash to Tár has been spearheaded by the real-life conductor Marin Alsop, who said she was offended by the portrayal of the protagonist.

Marin, 66, who is one of the world’s top female conductors, told The Australian: ‘To have an opportunity to portray a woman in that role to make her an abuser, for me that’s heartbreaking.’

Cate said Marin was entitled to her opinion but distanced herself from any accusation the film used Alsop – or any other female conductor – as the basis for her character.

Despite the backlash, Cate has been highly acclaimed for her role and is tipped to win her second Best Actress Oscar.

The star won her first Best Supporting Actress Oscar in 2004 for Martin Scorsese’s The Aviator. 

Cate has already won Best Actress at the 2023 Critics’ Choice Awards for her portrayal of the disgraced composer.

She beat Michelle Williams, Viola Davis, Danielle Deadwyler, Margot Robbie, and Michelle Yeoh in the category to take home the gong.

Criticism: Cate’s latest movie Tar has come under fire despite her winning a Golden Globe and a Critics Choice Award for her role in the drama 

‘It is extremely arbitrary considering how many extraordinary performances there have been by women,’ Cate said as she accepted her award.

‘I can’t believe I’m up here. This is ridiculous… I would love it if we would just change this whole f***ing structure. It’s like what is this patriarchal pyramid where someone stands up here.’ 

She continued: ‘I tell you, every single woman with a television, film, advertising, tampon commercials — whatever — you’re all out there doing amazing work that is inspiring me continually. So thank you. I share this with you all.’

Cate has enjoyed a spectacular start to the awards season after also scooping a Golden Globe for her captivating performance.

She was not present at the awards show to accept the trophy as she was busy filming a new movie.

Read the full interview in Radio Times’ BAFTA film special.

Defence: While many have condemned the critically acclaimed film as ‘anti-woman’, Cate came to its defence in a recent interview, describing it as ‘very provocative’