Los Angeles [US], May 18 (ANI): Actor Cate Blanchett reflected on the #MeToo movement that once shook the entire Hollywood film industry.

Speaking at Cannes 2026, Blanchett shared how the movement 'got killed very quickly, as per Variety.

Cate Blanchett served as the Cannes jury president in 2018 - the time when the #MeToo movement was at its peak. She also led a women's march, bringing together the likes of Kristen Stewart, Lea Seydoux, Ava DuVernay, Agnes Varda, and more as they walked up the steps of the Palais des Festivals.

'There are a lot of people with platforms who are able to speak up with relative safety and say this has happened to me,' and the so-called average woman on the street is saying, '#MeToo.' Why does that get shut down?' the actor said, further describing it as a 'systemic layer of abuse'.

'What the #MeToo movement revealed is a systemic layer of abuse, not only in this industry but in all industries, and if you don't identify a problem, you can't solve the problem,' she added.

Blanchett noted an evident imbalance of power between men and women in the film industry, which she described as continuing to this date.

'I'm still on film sets and I do the headcount every day, and it is still, you know... there are 10 women and there are 75 men every morning. I love men, but what happens is the jokes become the same. You just have to brace yourself slightly, and I'm used to that, but it just gets boring for everybody when you walk into a homogeneous workplace. I think it has an effect on the work,' she said.

Earlier in 2018, Cate Blanchett was among the 82 women who protested. At that time, she asserted that women do not fall under minority in the world.

'As women, we all face our own unique challenges, but we stand together on these stairs today as a symbol of our determination and commitment to progress. We are writers, producers, directors, actresses, cinematographers, talent agents, editors, distributors, sales agents and all involved in the cinematic arts,' she said, as per Variety. (ANI)