Cate Blanchett, a prominent figure in the film industry, is renowned for her talent and outspoken nature. At the 2024 Cannes Festival, she grabbed attention with a bold fashion choice. While promoting her upcoming movie Rumours, she attended the premiere of The Apprentice, a biopic about Donald Trump.
Blanchett turned heads in a striking Jean Paul Gaultier gown by Haider Ackermann, featuring a black front and a light pink back, with a white detail that caught the eye in photographs.
When she lifted the dress, revealing a green lining, it sparked online discussion due to its resemblance to the colors of the Palestinian flag against the backdrop of the red carpet.
Social media users were quick to interpret Cate Blanchett’s wardrobe choice as a statement of solidarity with Gaza amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine.
Dr. Zahira Jaser expressed admiration for Blanchett’s subtle yet powerful statement, suggesting a desire to emulate her ability to make a point with simplicity. Another user voiced strong support for Blanchett’s stance.
However, not all responses were positive. A Facebook user criticized both the attention given to Blanchett’s gesture and the aesthetics of her dress, dismissing it as “cheap.”
Opinions on Cate Blanchett’s statement appeared divided online, with one Facebook user expressing a desire for her to visit Palestine in attire reflecting her solidarity. However, Blanchett’s history of advocacy for peace in the region was evident.
In October 2023, she joined 54 other artists in urging US President Joe Biden to call for a ceasefire in the Israel-Palestine conflict. The open letter, also signed by Hollywood figures like Joaquin Phoenix and Kristen Stewart, emphasized the importance of honoring lives in the Holy Land and urgently seeking an end to violence and the safe release of hostages.
In November, Cate Blanchett delivered a powerful speech at the European Parliament Plenary Session in her capacity as a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Refugee Agency, reiterating her plea for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.
She emphasized her role as a witness to the human toll of conflict, stating, “I am not Syrian, Ukrainian, Yemeni, Afghani, South Sudanese, Israeli, or Palestinian. I am not a politician or a pundit. But I am a witness.” Blanchett underscored the devastating impact of war, violence, and persecution, drawing from her experiences visiting refugees worldwide.
Addressing the recent violence in Israel and Gaza, she lamented the loss of innocent lives and urged the audience not to turn a blind eye to the suffering. Blanchett concluded by urging collective action to challenge the misconception that every refugee seeks refuge in Europe.
Recent statistics from Gaza’s Health Ministry revealed over 35,000 Palestinian deaths and more than 79,000 injuries due to Israel’s retaliation, with civilians bearing the brunt of these casualties.