Cate Blanchett to head Cannes jury
Actress recently joined the Time’s Up initiative
PARIS — Australian actress and campaigner against sexual harassment Cate Blanchett will head this year’s Cannes Film Festival jury, organizers said Thursday.
In a statement, top Cannes officials Pierre Lescure and ThierryFremaux expressed their delight in welcoming “such a rare and unique artist whose tal- ent and convictions enrich both screen and stage.”
A two-time Academy award winner, Blanchett follows Spanish director Pedro Almodovar, who headed the 70th edition of the festival last year. This year’s star-studded event on the French Riviera will take place from May 8-19. The appointment of Blanchett, 48, comes months after she expressed her support to the dozens of women who came forward with allegations of sexual assault and harassment against Harvey Weinstein, the disgraced Hollywood mogul.
More recently, she joined the Time’s Up initiative alongside other highprofile actresses including Reese Witherspoon and Emma Stone. The campaign aims to clamp down against sexual harassment and inequality in the workplace. Cannes organizers did not mention the Weinstein scandal or Blanchett’s commitment to the fight against sexual harassment.
“I have been to Cannes in many guises over the years; as an actress, producer, in the marketplace, the gala-sphere and in competition,” Blanchett said. “But never solely for the sheer pleasure of watching the cornucopia of films this great festival harbours. I am humbled by the privilege and responsibility of presiding over this year’s jury.”