EVEN IN FRONT OF A Zoom call, Cate Blanchett looks flamboyant. Sitting at the table in a crisp, impeccably tailored shirt and surrounded by white orchids, she radiates a hypnotic light, pearlescent and dark at the same time, like a lunar eclipse. “It resembles mercury rolling on a table, completely elusive. She constantly changes her appearance, but she is here, in her incredible magnetism,” the New York Times wrote about her.
The actress, activist and film producer is so recognized as one of today’s hottest talents that she defined as the “Bach of acting” when she speaks, she sometimes moves her hands like an orchestra conductor, and it makes me think of Lydia, the leader of the Berlin Philharmonic, played in Tara, the Todd Field film for which she received a Volpi Cup, a Golden Globe and an eighth nomination for “Oscar”. .
He didn’t win, but he can survive it: At 54, he has collected a record number of awards, including two statuettes respectively for Woody Allen’s Blue Jasmine and Martin Scorsese’s The Aviator.a result only achieved by big names like Bette Davis or Jodie Foster.
Born near Melbourne, Married since 1997 to Australian director Andrew Upton, with whom she had four children, she has achieved success after success with the nonchalance of a thoroughbred. Among her many roles – lesbians, queens, some neurotics – we would like to remember that she was also the only woman among the six actors who played Bob Dylan in the movie “I’m Not Here.” And who has done much more, including running the Sydney Theater Company and attempting to create a climate podcast with Prince William. The thought that he learned to play the piano beautifully, speak German and conduct Gustav Mahler’s Fifth Symphony for a film is daunting, but he seems familiar during interviews.
Cate Blanchett: the only woman to play Bob Dylan
Sometimes she resembles the elegant neighbor you meet in the elevator in the morning, and other times, when she laughs in complicity, she almost resembles the reckless friend with whom you eat Nutella on the couch while talking about your ex. She is a goddess and at the same time one of us. Unstoppable, in early September Cate Blanchett is among those present at the 80th Venice International Film Festival (where last year she was President of the Jury) for a special event by Giorgio Armani, for which she is the global ambassador of beauty and, since 2013 or since the launch, review of the Sì brand fragrance.
Connection confirmed ten years later thanks to a new chapter in the history of the perfume, which for the double-digit anniversary is presented in the version Sì Eau de Parfum Intense with black currant, a floral heart and a bouquet of vanilla. And above all, accompanied by a completely new campaign: in a video directed by Amber Grace Johnson and set to the explosive rhythm of Beggin’, the Måneskin version is very special Kate is no longer alone.
She is surrounded, in a sign of the times, by a cast of special women, including the American actress of Stranger Things fame, Sadie Sink, Armani Beauty’s new global ambassador, and Italian Matilda Jolie. She is calm, as always. And as in this interview: while he is talking, with his androgynous style, calm and prismatic, it has the velvety sound, depth, warm charm and constancy of a man who has lived a lot and can’t wait to look into the future.
Interview with Cate Blanchett
Let’s go back to basics: do you remember your first meeting with Giorgio Armani?
Here I am. We met backstage at Armani Privé’s first show, but his style had always been influenced by me, long before that moment. I remember the day he shook my hand while looking at me. I was literally hypnotized by his charisma, the power of his blue eyes. He remained in this position for a long time, squeezing my palms and talking to me with his eyes. I had chills.
And how has your relationship changed over time?
Armani has had a huge influence on my life and we have a unique partnership of deep creative understanding that has developed over many years. Until the moment when Mr. Armani simply became Giorgio for me. He is truly an extraordinary icon, crossing many aspects of the aesthetic world: all facets of his style form a single canvas. For me in particular, it was wonderful when, in 2007, he designed the costumes for a play I produced for the Sydney Theater Company, becoming a patron of the company (his donation at the time was described as one of the largest in history). Australian Theater Company, ed.). Giorgio is an incredible philanthropist, he is involved in culture, theater, and dance. And then sweet, this is home (he says these words in Italian, Ed ).
What do you feel the need to say yes to today? To shut up.
Do you mean metaphorically?
No, literally. I’m feeling pretty introspective right now.. I’ve had a lot in the last two years, I feel like I’ve achieved a lot, now I want to read, think and listen, as well as go for walks and do physical activities like swimming. As well as performing actions that do not have a deadline and a clear goal. I hope you understand what I mean.
How do you think the concept of beauty has changed today? Do you think the younger generation is becoming more insecure about their appearance because of social media?
I don’t think it’s a matter of age. Social media is a place that feeds and cultivates uncertainty, competition, and quick judgments. They certainly open up great opportunities; interesting movements and communities with positive goals have formed in these virtual spaces. Many of the women’s experiences were shared and made public. I’m not demonizing social media, but it can be a place where one type of image or another can become a priority, and I don’t think the expression of female beauty is a monolithic experience, there are many different perspectives, no matter what age. There are some dangers you should be aware of. Let’s remember that privacy is one of the most important parts of life, intimacy and personal space should always be carefully protected.
Cate Blanchett: from Australia to Hollywood
He described Australia as a “fascinating, vibrant” country where wild ideas can be born. What was it like growing up in a place that describes you as incredible?
But perhaps the same could be said about Italy (laughs – ed.)! Actually… Seriously, I always felt a great sense of freedom there. Then I went to live overseas, and when I came back to Australia for the film and spent Christmas there with my whole extended family, I realized that even if I never lived there again, I was still home. In the Australian desert I feel good, I am deeply at peace. I’m not indigenous, but there is something ancient about these places that touches me, I feel extremely connected and very humble. This is a landscape that vibrates, I don’t feel such emotions anywhere else in the world.
Speaking of strong emotions: As a busy person, if you could start a revolution today, what would you do it for?
This will certainly involve respect for the natural world because we cannot exist without it, and every initiative I take will be centered on the clock that is rapidly ticking against our ability to exist on this Planet. One of the talents I most admire in people is humility, and this is something we especially need. Above all, politicians, businessmen and industrial leaders need it to be able to develop a greater sense of empathy and work towards protecting the environment. The world would continue to exist without us, but we cannot continue to exist if we do not take care of it. I would like the energy revolution in particular, but I want to be positive, I feel like it’s already happening.
Does acting free you?
Sometimes this is true. But it is also a constant struggle in which resilience, discipline and a sense of courage come into play. When everything goes well, yes, it is liberating, but it doesn’t always happen.
She is an extraordinarily successful woman. Was there a personal failure that forced you to change or gave you a new perspective?
This happens to me all the time. I don’t think success teaches you anything, the only lessons I’ve learned are from failure. I once had a difficult role in a play produced by the Sydney Theatre, which began with a 25-minute monologue. There was only me sitting on the stage, in front, with only my voice. On the first of the preview nights when I played, I started to feel:fam fam fam,” came the sounds of people slowly leaving.. There were a hundred people who got up and left, and I said to myself in a loop, “OK, this isn’t working.” On the second evening about thirty people came out, on the third only two, and then during the premiere everyone stayed. I had to admit what happened. And it’s very hard to think that people don’t appreciate it, that a hundred spectators leave the theater, and you’re the only one playing, but you learn from it. It became one of my favorite roles ever played in the theater. When you pretend something didn’t happen, you don’t grow.
What are you feeling particularly optimistic about today? Sometimes I get depressed about the state of the planet, but then I actually realize how much has been done.
Working with Prince William on the climate podcast was incredibly inspiring and made me realize how many people are using creativity and good ideas to solve local problems and combat climate change. In this regard, I am optimistic: we will cope.
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From | September 13, 2023