Cate Blanchett criticized the “pyramid of patriarchy” at a Hollywood awards show as she accepted the best actress gong from the Critics Choice Association in Los Angeles on Sunday.
Australian actor and Oscars frontrunner, Blanchett whose performance as an ambitious, morally dubious conductor in the classic musical drama “TAR” swept the Awards, told the packed ballroom that he wanted the whole “structure” of the awards show to be changed.
The patriarchal pyramid
“Like, what is this patriarchal pyramid that people are standing here?” she said, collecting her prize from the largest critics’ organization in North America.
“Why don’t we say that there is a raft of female performers who are in concert and dialogue with each other, and stop the horse racing that is televised?”
“Because I can tell you, every single woman — whether it’s television, film, advertising, tampon commercials, whatever — you’re all out there doing amazing work that continues to inspire me.
“So thank you. I share this with you all.”
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Blanchett has previously received two Oscars for her work in “Blue Jasmine” and “The Aviator”.
She won a Golden Globe for her performance as a fictional lesbian conductor in “TAR” last week but did not attend the ceremony.
Several other award shows, including the Film Independent Spirit Awards, the MTV Movie and TV Awards, and the music Grammy Awards, have switched to gender-neutral acting prizes.
The Critics’ Choice Awards, like the Oscars and most other Hollywood events, still divide the acting prize between male and female categories.
‘In the desert’
Blanchett’s comments came moments after Brendan Fraser gave a very emotional speech, in which he thanked voters for the best actor award for “The Whale.”
Fraser, a major Hollywood star in the late 1990s and early 2000s with hits such as “The Mummy,” had endured a long time before his performance as a fat teacher in his new drama won him public acclaim.
“I was in the desert. And I probably should have left a trail of breadcrumbs. But you found me,” said Fraser to director Darren Aronofsky.
“If you – like someone like Charlie who I play in this film – in any way struggle with obesity, or you just feel like you’re in a sea of darkness, I want you to know that you can also have the strength to just stand up and move towards the light, which good things will happen,” Fraser said to applause.
The Critics’ Choice Awards is one of the main award events in the build-up to the Oscars, which is held this year on March 12.
Surreal sci-fi “Everything Everywhere All at Once” won best picture at Sunday’s high-profile critics’ awards, boosting its hopes for the top Academy Award prize.
The film ended the night with the most wins in five films, including best director for Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, best original screenplay, best editing, and best supporting actor for Oscar favorite Ke Huy Quan.
Among the night’s television prizes, “Breaking Bad” spin-off season six and finale “Better Call Saul” finally claimed the best drama series win, as well as best actor for Bob Odenkirk and best supporting actor for Giancarlo Esposito.