I applaud Women in Film - not only for celebrating the successes of women, but for providing a safety network to mentor women and to discuss the particular issues that arise in a very male-dominated industry.
Actresses can get outrageously precious about the way they look. That's not what life's about. If you starve yourself to the point where your brain cells shrivel, you will never do good work. And if you're overly conscious of your arms flapping in the wind, how can you look the other actor in the eye to respond to them?
Interpretation
What this quote means
Life is not solely about physical appearance; it's more important to focus on authenticity and connection.
In this quote, Cate Blanchett emphasizes that the entertainment industry's obsession with physical beauty often detracts from the essence of acting, which requires engagement and connection with others. She suggests that neglecting one's health and becoming overly fixated on superficial aspects can hinder creativity and genuine collaboration, ultimately diminishing the quality of one's work and experience in life.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech about self-acceptance, this quote can be used to highlight the importance of valuing inner beauty over outer appearance.
More from Cate Blanchett
All quotes →I have a very healthy relationship to my work, and I find that if a scene is working, no matter how intense it is, you have the catharsis on screen, and you can let it go. I think it's, if at the end of the day you feel like you haven't cracked it, that's when you go home and it's more difficult to switch off.
I love theatre - it's where I started - and I've directed a play myself. I'm not sure if I want to direct a film, but certainly, as an actress, I'm always thinking, 'Surely this must be my last film.'
I'm not particularly needy, and I'm not particularly anxious. I don't look for a director to tell me I'm doing a good job or that I'm great. I don't need to be stroked. It's more my own yardstick.
I think the only thing I knew for sure is that I wanted to, whatever I did, I wanted to travel with my work, an adventurous spirit.
Those of us in the industry who are still foolishly clinging to the idea that female films with women at the center are niche experiences - they are not. Audiences want to see them and, in fact, they earn money. The world is round, people.
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Not often, but every once in a while, God brings us to a major turning point — a great crossroads in our life.