Smash the patriarchal pyramid suggests Cate

Actor Cate Blanchett has received two Academy Awards, three British Academy Film Awards, four Golden Globe Awards and so much more.

But she has never lost sight of the fact that she is a woman who has succeeded in an industry where the male power structure is still in the process of being dismantled by some strong and talented women.

Once powerful director Harvey Weinstein is currently serving a 23-year prison sentence after being convicted of rape and sexual assault in New York in 2020. But other incidences of sexual harassment, as well as unequal pay for male and female stars, still trouble the industry.

 After winning Best Actress at the Critics’ Choice Awards in Los Angeles for her role in Tár , Blanchett used her acceptance speech to call out the “patriarchal pyramid” of awards calling the awards a “televised horse race”.

“I would love it if we would just change this whole f***ing structure,” she said. “It’s like what is this patriarchal pyramid where someone stands up here. Why don’t we just say there was a whole raft of female performances that are in concert and in dialogue with one another?”

“Can 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. Thank you I share this with you all.”

Blanchett’s speech has divided opinions. But I stand behind any woman who is brave enough to call out a system that favours one gender, or one race, over another or seeks to create competition or division among women.

You can watch Cate’s speech here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iGWugqLuA68