Cate Blanchett doesn’t understand obsession with labels. Defends ScarJo.

[Space Cowboy]

 

https://www.vulture.com/2023/02/cate-blanchett-lesbian-tar-carol.html

 

Quote

If Carol was made now, me not being gay — would I be given public permission to play that role?

She gives instead a different example of the “obsession”: the curious case of Scarlett Johansson, a white actor who played a Japanese woman in the film adaptation of Ghost in the Shell, and who exited a project where she was set to play a transgender man after a flurry of backlash.

 

If you and I were having a conversation [25 years ago], it would be in your publication and that was it. Now, somehow it’s like these opinions get published, and Scarlett Johansson doesn’t play a role that maybe she was the only person who could play it. I don’t want to offend anybody, I don’t want to speak for anybody else.”

 

[Hector]

Straight actors still to this day get to play LGBTQ roles without a problem.  Hopefully these aloof comments only help Michelle Yeoh get closer to the Oscar. 

[Icarus]

She's right. It's stupid to suggest actors should only play characters who are exactly like themselves. It's called acting for a reason

[ProudLBS]

she didn’t lie 

Edited February 15, 2023 by ProudLBS

[Mitsouko]

What is she talking about possibly not being allowed to play a lesbian nowadays when she is currently nominated for an Oscar for playing a lesbian 

[Communion]

Start casting trans people in cis roles first if it's really just about acting.  

[MaxxiPad]

Why would she bring up the Scarlett controversy unprompted 

[suburbannature]

I mean, she’s right about the Carol example.

 

The ScarJo take, though…

 

It’s one thing to have the character be reimagined or if there’s a universal story that makes the identity of the actor less important, but not at the cost of a POC’s job in an underrepresented field or if the character is explicitly meant to be a POC. You also run the risk of becoming a parody or stereotype (see: Breakfast at Tiffany’s).

[fauxtography]

You know, it sounds even more stupid when typed.

"Johanson, who played a japanese woman"

 

Like, I'm not outraged, but use your brain challenge. Why should a white actor be playing a Japanese woman.

 

 

The transgender role makes less sense though - I actually don't see a defense of that role being gatekept by a transgender actor, if the plot is about transition. I also care less about gay roles as well.

[liquiddiamonds]

It’s always the cis  white straight people with the I dont think about my sexuality and labels that much argument  guess what? we wouldn’t either if we didn’t experience pushbacks and violence because of it lol 

Edited February 15, 2023 by liquiddiamonds

[X~MoviePoP]

Cate is becoming more and more ....just...ick

Edited February 15, 2023 by X~MoviePoP

[truthteller]

The way she stays in her Lydia Tar character

 

"The problem with enrolling yourself as an ultrasonic epistemic dissident is that if Bach's talent can be reduced to his gender, birth country, religion, sexuality, and so on, then so can yours."

Edited February 15, 2023 by truthteller

[Space Cowboy]

14 minutes ago, fauxtography said:

You know, it sounds even more stupid when typed.

"Johanson, who played a japanese woman"

 

Like, I'm not outraged, but use your brain challenge. Why should a white actor be playing a Japanese woman.

 

To be fair Scarjo played a whitewashed version of the character which happens to be a robot, not exactly a japanese woman. Still kinda iffy.

[bjorn]

3 minutes ago, MaoMars said:

I find her insufferable, I wish they would give the award to Andrea, at least it would make the award interesting.

 

Why does she keep doing that with her lips? Is it a tick when you get lip fillers? 

[Jessie]

Cate was allegedly seen at a Rupert Murdoch party at the last UK general election to watch the results so I’ve already felt a little sus about her ever since. Still one of my fave actresses.
 

and also playing a trans man is kinda a massive reach if you are, y’know, not a man unless once again Hollywood is only interested in the stereotype trauma porn of transition for the cis gaze.

 

And everything that needs to be said has been said about the yellow face defending.

[Jessie]

7 minutes ago, truthteller said:

The way she stays in her Lydia Tar character

 

"The problem with enrolling yourself as an ultrasonic epistemic dissident is that if Bach's talent can be reduced to his gender, birth country, religion, sexuality, and so on, then so can yours."

Not you coming out of Tár and treating the character as aspirational 

[truthteller]

7 minutes ago, Jessie said:

Not you coming out of Tár and treating the character as aspirational 

it's part of the campaign cycle to cater to the older panel members

still rooting for the only talented Michelle on the list which is Michelle Y. tho and yes that scene did make some points for a thought-provoking debate before she went too far

Edited February 15, 2023 by truthteller

[OreGuy]

32 minutes ago, Communion said:

Start casting trans people in cis roles first if it's really just about acting.  

now that's tea.

[GraceRandolph]

Aren't two of the acting nominees at the Oscars this year straight actors playing gay roles? Of course there will be some criticism of this, nothing is ever universally agreed upon.

[bliaz]

41 minutes ago, Icarus said:

She's right. It's stupid to suggest actors should only play characters who are exactly like themselves. It's called acting for a reason

[qurl]

35 minutes ago, Communion said:

Start casting trans people in cis roles first if it's really just about acting.  

very much that. if this is something cate wants to stand in , there needs to be advocation for queer and trans actors to play roles that they aren’t (generally) presently afforded to them. it can’t just be that straight, cis actors should be able to do any role of lived experiences that don’t pertain to them individually

[Jessie]

1 minute ago, truthteller said:

it's part of the campaign cycle to cater to the older panel members

still rooting for the only talented Michelle on the list which is Michelle Y. tho

Michelle Yeoh winning would be one of my favourite Oscar outcomes ever right alongside Moonlight snatching Best Picture at the very last second but I’ve already resigned myself to just being happy for her record setting nom and seeing her glow throughout the show.

 

[CaptainMusic]

49 minutes ago, Mitsouko said:

What is she talking about possibly not being allowed to play a lesbian nowadays when she is currently nominated for an Oscar for playing a lesbian 

 

 

I like Cate but she needs to the shut the **** up, the ScarJo comparison is not a good look

[DanyelP23]

Isn't she about to win an Oscar for playing a lesbian? In 2023? 

What's her point?!

[FOCK]

Actors are doing just that - acting. 
But she’s missing the point and sounds incredibly naive to suggest that “no other actor” could’ve played those roles. 
 

Was a concerted effort even made to cast a trans actor? A Japanese lead? People that are severely underrepresented in Hollywood and often type cast or regulated to supporting roles or extras, then a high profile role finally comes along… and it goes to the Cis White person who then reaps all the accolades, opportunities & recognition. 
 

I have no issue with someone playing a different sexual orientation, if anything, that helps destigmatise - but race and being trans are more significant identity markers & the effects on their communities aren’t as favourable.