Additional Coverage:
- Cate Blanchett mourns how #MeToo got ‘killed very quickly,’ still ‘systemic layer of abuse’ (foxnews.com)
At the Cannes Film Festival on Sunday, Oscar-winning actress Cate Blanchett reflected on the rapid decline of the #MeToo movement since its emergence in 2017, expressing concern over its lost momentum.
Blanchett highlighted the importance of giving voice to those affected by systemic abuse, noting that many people with platforms have spoken out with relative safety, while average individuals have echoed the movement’s message. “Why does that get shut down?”
she questioned. “It revealed a systemic layer of abuse not just in this industry, but across all industries.
If you don’t identify a problem, you can’t solve it. When you shut down the conversation, progress halts.”
During her remarks, Blanchett also drew attention to ongoing gender imbalances in the film industry. She described how, on sets where she works, the ratio still heavily favors men-often 75 men to just 10 women. While she expressed affection for her male colleagues, she noted that the homogeneity leads to repetitive jokes and a workplace environment that grows tedious for everyone, ultimately affecting the quality of the work.
This isn’t the first time Blanchett has voiced frustration with the #MeToo movement’s limited impact. In 2025, she lamented that the movement “hasn’t taken root,” observing that efforts were made to discredit emerging voices rather than support them. She called this decline “distressing,” emphasizing the need to keep the conversation alive.
Blanchett has also been among the actresses who spoke out about inappropriate behavior by former Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein. In a 2018 interview, she described feeling uneasy around him, noting, “I think he really primarily preyed, like most predators, on the vulnerable,” and recalled his chilling remark, “We’re not friends.”
Weinstein’s exposure in 2017, triggered by multiple allegations of sexual harassment, was a pivotal moment that fueled the #MeToo movement’s rise beyond the entertainment world. Yet, as Blanchett’s recent comments underscore, the fight against systemic abuse and gender inequality remains far from over.