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In the realm of promotional tactics for new projects, it’s become common for actors to engage in lighthearted activities, like eating chicken alongside well-known media figures or discussing hot-button issues. During the current promotional tour for her newest film, Black Bag, directed by Steven Soderbergh, Cate Blanchett chose to participate in the latter approach. Given her longstanding opinions on certain topics, her choice to share a perspective on the New York City subway during a recent interview with TikTok’s Kareem Rahma was both fitting and anticipated. When asked, “So, what’s your take?” Blanchett delivered a candid assessment that has garnered attention throughout her career: “Leaf blowers need to be eradicated from the face of the Earth.”
In a succinct two-minute interview released on Thursday, she elaborated, “It’s a metaphor for what’s wrong with us as a species. We blow stuff from one side of our lawn to the other side, and then the wind is just going to blow it back.” This particular critique isn’t new. Blanchett has articulated her disdain for leaf blowers on various occasions over the years, a sentiment that many might find increasingly relatable after seeing a compilation of her passionate rants circulating on TikTok last year. To trace the origins of this aversion reveals a deeper narrative.
2007: The First Mention
Blanchett’s documented disapproval of leaf blowers emerged in a 2007 interview with W Magazine. This declaration of dislike dates back long enough for leaf blowers to have reached voting age. During this interview, the star of Lord of the Rings expressed her belief that these devices epitomize many issues plaguing humanity, highlighting environmental concerns and societal excess.
2019: A Public Resurgence
It wasn’t until the promotional activities for her film Where’d You Go, Bernadette in 2019 that Blanchett’s frustrations resurfaced publicly. When asked about moments that provoke her anger, she described leaf blowers as an intense trigger, stating, “If I see a leaf blower, I go from nought to a thousand.” Her enthusiasm for condemning leaf blowers only amplified when, during a red carpet appearance for the film, she was presented with an image of the device and responded with characteristic fervor, calling it a wasteful tool that simply redistributes leaves rather than resolving the issue.
2022: Continued Critique
In 2022, on the popular YouTube series Hot Ones, Blanchett reiterated her frustrations, pointing out the futility of moving leaves around with such machines. “The gardeners… they know that what they’re doing is stupid,” she remarked, showing her determination to challenge what she sees as an absurd practice.
2024: Fresh Perspectives
During a 2024 press conference at Cannes for her film Rumours, Blanchett found herself once again bringing up leaf blowers. An audience member prompted her with questions about what makes her laugh, leading her to ponder the absurdity of leaf blowers. This elicited a playful response from the film’s director, Evan Johnson, signaling that her critique has become somewhat of a recognizable aspect of her public persona. Co-director Guy Maddin humorously urged attendees to search online for further evidence of her aversion, as Blanchett reflected on the duality of her feelings toward the devices: “Yeah, I mean, they make me laugh and cry. Laughing and crying is a really good state to be in, actually.”
Source
www.architecturaldigest.com