In Conversation With... Cate Blanchett

Cate Blanchett is one of the most revered actors of our time. With two Academy Awards and four BAFTAs to her name, her genre-spanning performances across theatre, independent cinema, and major blockbusters have enthralled audiences and cemented her place as an astonishing talent. From her Oscar-winning performances as Katharine Hepburn in The Aviator (2004) and a neurotic socialite in Blue Jasmine (2013), to portraying Queen Elizabeth l in Elizabeth (1998) and an elven queen in The Lord of Rings trilogy, to Bob Dylan in I’m Not There (2007) and a 1950s housewife in Carol (2015), Blanchett has done it all. In her most recent Academy Award nominated performance in Tár (2022), Blanchett stars as an enigmatic conductor at the peak of her career and delivers one of her most intimate and compelling performances. Blanchett has brought nuance, versatility, and an elusive yet powerful presence to each of her multifaceted characters across her impressive oeuvre on screen and stage. She also helms the production company Dirty Films, whose releases include TIFF 2023 Official Selections Noora Niasari’s Shayda, Christos Nikou’s Fingernails, and Warwick Thornton’s The New Boy. Blanchett joins us to discuss her expansive and illustrious career, as well as her role in two projects in Official Selection at this year’s Festival: Alfonso Cuaron’s series Disclaimer and Guy Maddin’s latest feature Rumours.