Cate Blanchett's 'middle class' claim stirs debate and disbelief

Viewers remember her roles in Martin Scorsese's "The Aviator," Todd Haynes' "I'm Not There" and "Carol," David Fincher's "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button", and finally, the remarkable leading roles in Woody Allen's "Blue Jasmine" and Todd Field's "Tár." Blanchett has also starred in blockbusters like Peter Jackson's trilogies "The Lord of the Rings" and "The Hobbit," as well as Taika Waititi's "Thor: Ragnarok."

The actress has appeared on screen since the mid-90s and there is no doubt that she is one of the highest earners "in the market". Her words at a United Nations press conference during the ongoing Cannes Film Festival are all the more surprising. Initially, she expressed support for Palestine in its ongoing conflict with Israel by wearing a dress in the national colours of the former country, and now she has shared her impressions of working on behalf of refugees.

As a Goodwill Ambassador for UNHCR (the UN Refugee Agency), the star called on the European Parliament in November last year to protect refugees instead of strengthening borders. She also condemned the practice of externalizing asylum applications and spoke about her privileged position compared to those arriving in low- and middle-income countries. She made similar remarks recently in Cannes.

“I am white, I am privileged, I belong to the middle class and I think I can be accused of having a white saviour complex, but honestly, my interaction with refugees in the field as well as in displaced communities has completely changed my perspective on the world,” she said in a film shared on TikTok by the Associated Press.

Although the star's appeal for the creation of "dialogue with these people" had noble intentions, something else caught the attention of internet users. "Do you think you belong to the middle class, Cate Blanchett?", one commenter asked ironically. "I love Cate Blanchett, but in what world does she belong to the 'middle class' when she starred in two of the biggest franchises and is worth around CAD 117 million," another person added. Some defended her, arguing that maybe she meant that compared to other billionaires in Hollywood, she indeed belongs to this oddly understood middle class.

The dark comedy "Rumours" by Guy Maddin and Evan Johnson, featuring Blanchett, is currently awaiting its Polish premiere. In August, we'll see her in Eli Roth's "Borderlands," based on the video game. Additionally, the miniseries "Disclaimer" and a new film by Jim Jarmusch, "Father, Mother, Sister, Brother" with a stellar cast (including Charlotte Rampling, Vicky Krieps, and Adam Driver in addition to the Australian actress), are in post-production.

The comedy "Alpha Gang" by David and Nathan Zellner is in preproduction, the series "Brideshead Revisited" is in development, and "Black Bag" by Steven Soderbergh is in production. Fans of the 55-year-old will therefore be able to see her frequently on both small and big screens in the near future.