Cate Blanchett to Lead Cannes Film Festival Judges

 

Actor Cate Blanchett will head the awards jury at the 2018 Cannes Film Festival in May.

The Australian movie star is a major voice in the campaign against sexual harassment¹.

In a statement, Festival officials Pierre Lescure and Thierry Fremaux praised Blanchett. They called her “a rare and unique artist whose talent and convictions enrich both screen and stage.”

Blanchett is a two-time Academy Award winner. She also was an early supporter of the women who accused Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein of sexual wrongdoing.

Weinstein resigned as head of the powerful Weinstein Company in October. He left a few weeks after the first reports of widespread accusations² against him were published.

Blanchett recently joined the Time's Up campaign with movie stars Reese Witherspoon, Emma Stone and others. The campaign aims to act against sexual harassment and inequality in the workplace.

Blanchett said she had been to Cannes for many reasons over the years: as an actress, producer and in competition. But the actor said she has never attended only for the pleasure of watching the many films the festival offers.

“I am humbled³ by the privilege and responsibility of presiding over this year's jury. This festival plays a pivotal role in bringing the world together to celebrate story,” Blanchett said.

Blanchett won the 2014 best actress Oscar for her part in the movie “Blue Jasmine.” Ten years earlier, she had won the Academy Award for best supporting actress in “The Aviator⁴.”

In 2012, the French government honored Blanchett with the Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres.

Blanchett follows Spanish director Pedro Almodovar. He headed the 70th festival in the coastal⁵ town of Cannes last year. This year's event will take place from May 8 to 19.

I’m Caty Weaver⁶.

Words in This Story

unique – adj. used to say that something or someone is unlike anything or anyone else

conviction – n. a strong belief or opinion

harassment – n. the act of annoying or bothering (someone) In a repeated way

humbled – adj. not thinking of yourself as better than other people

privilege – n. a special opportunity to do something that makes you proud

pivotal – adj. very important

1 harassment   

n.骚扰，扰乱，烦恼，烦乱

参考例句：

• She often got telephone harassment at night these days.这些天她经常在夜晚受到电话骚扰。
• The company prohibits any form of harassment.公司禁止任何形式的骚扰行为。

2 accusations   

n.指责( accusation的名词复数 )；指控；控告；（被告发、控告的）罪名

参考例句：

• There were accusations of plagiarism. 曾有过关于剽窃的指控。
• He remained unruffled by their accusations. 对于他们的指控他处之泰然。

3 humbled   

adj. 卑下的，谦逊的，粗陋的 vt. 使 ... 卑下，贬低

参考例句：

• The examination results humbled him. 考试成绩挫了他的傲气。
• I am sure millions of viewers were humbled by this story. 我相信数百万观众看了这个故事后都会感到自己的渺小。

4 aviator   

n.飞行家，飞行员

参考例句：

• The young aviator bragged of his exploits in the sky.那名年轻的飞行员吹嘘他在空中飞行的英勇事迹。
• Hundreds of admirers besieged the famous aviator.数百名爱慕者围困那个著名飞行员。

5 coastal   

adj.海岸的，沿海的，沿岸的

参考例句：

• The ocean waves are slowly eating away the coastal rocks.大海的波浪慢慢地侵蚀着岸边的岩石。
• This country will fortify the coastal areas.该国将加强沿海地区的防御。

6 weaver   

n.织布工；编织者

参考例句：

• She was a fast weaver and the cloth was very good.她织布织得很快，而且布的质量很好。
• The eager weaver did not notice my confusion.热心的纺织工人没有注意到我的狼狈相。