Cate Blanchett's powerful female, gender-fluid and gay roles have helped transform Hollywood, but she told Venice on Thursday that she never sets out to make a political statement.&nbsp;

She won the best actress award at the Venice Film Festival in 2007 for her performance as Bob Dylan, and starred in 'Carol', one of the most iconic gay films of recent years.

Her latest role is in "Tar", competing for the Golden Lion in Venice this week, as a renowned lesbian conductor accused of inappropriate liaisons with female colleagues.

But speaking to reporters at the festival, she insisted none of her work was designed as activism.&nbsp;

"I don't see artistic practice as an education tool," she said.&nbsp;

"I'm not interested in agitprop. While there's a lot of hot button topics that come up in this movie, it's not about any of those things -- they're plot devices.

"After the thing is made, it can be politicised, discussed, people can be disgusted with it, offended by it, inspired by it, but that's outside our control."

When she was preparing to make "Tar" with US director Todd Field, she said she "didn't think about the character's gender nor her sex at all".

"I think perhaps we've matured enough as a species that we can watch a film like this and not make that the headline issue.

"It wasn't until we started doing the press and they said, 'You have women at the centre of this' and I thought: 'Oh shit -- yeah, we do!' That didn't cross my mind."

Asked about the position of women in the film industry, Blanchett said things had greatly improved during her career thanks to "female trail-blazing actors... and amazing men alongside us."

But one continuing obstacle is the refusal of big-name male actors to accept smaller roles.&nbsp;

"It's very hard to get our brothers in Hollywood to play supporting roles that we would very happily play in a good story with a good director -- that still is typical," she said.

Cate Blanchett's powerful female, gender-fluid and gay roles have helped transform Hollywood, but she told Venice on Thursday that she never sets out to make a political statement.

Cate Blanchett's powerful female, gender-fluid and gay roles have helped transform Hollywood, but she told Venice on Thursday that she never sets out to make a political statement. She won the best actress award at the Venice Film Festival in 2007 for her performance as Bob Dylan, and starred in 'Carol', one of the most iconic gay films of recent years. Her latest role is in "Tar", competing for the Golden Lion in Venice this week, as a renowned lesbian conductor accused of inappropriate liaisons with female colleagues. But speaking to reporters at the festival, she insisted none of her work was designed as activism. "I don't see artistic practice as an education tool," she said. "I'm not interested in agitprop. While there's a lot of hot button topics that come up in this movie, it's not about any of those things -- they're plot devices. "After the thing is made, it can be politicised, discussed, people can be disgusted with it, offended by it, inspired by it, but that's outside our control." When she was preparing to make "Tar" with US director Todd Field, she said she "didn't think about the character's gender nor her sex at all". "I think perhaps we've matured enough as a species that we can watch a film like this and not make that the headline issue. "It wasn't until we started doing the press and they said, 'You have women at the centre of this' and I thought: 'Oh shit -- yeah, we do!' That didn't cross my mind." Asked about the position of women in the film industry, Blanchett said things had greatly improved during her career thanks to "female trail-blazing actors... and amazing men alongside us." But one continuing obstacle is the refusal of big-name male actors to accept smaller roles. "It's very hard to get our brothers in Hollywood to play supporting roles that we would very happily play in a good story with a good director -- that still is typical," she said.

Cate Blanchett: I'm not making female or lesbian propaganda

Ben Stiller and Cate Blanchett are coming together for a project. They are all set to star in the film adaptation of the 1960s British TV show 'The Champions'&nbsp;by Dennis Spooner. 
 
In addition to acting, Benn will be directing and producing the upcoming project. Brian Oliver and Bradley Fischer of New Republic will produce the project.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/travis-scott-has-been-charged-twice-before-for-inciting-violence-at-his-concert-428762" hreflang="en">Travis Scott has been charged twice before for inciting violence at his concert</a> 
 
Blanchett is also producing through her company Dirty Films, and Stiller is producing through his label Red Hour Productions.&nbsp; 
 
The movie follows three United Nations agents whose plane crashes into the Himalayas. Upon being rescued by an advanced civilization secretly living in Tibet, they are granted enhanced intellectual and physical abilities. When the agents return to the outside world, they use their new superhuman abilities to become champions of law, order and justice, as per Variety.&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 
'The Champions' was produced by Lew Grade’s ITC Entertainment and aired 30 episodes in the UK on ITV from 1968-69.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-ruth-wilson-to-feature-in-lena-dunham-dennis-lehanes-mafia-drama-428712" hreflang="en">Ruth Wilson to feature in Lena Dunham, Dennis Lehane's mafia drama</a>

“’Champions’ is a long-forgotten gem that will excite a new generation in the same strange and magnificent way that the original series spoke to us. I’ve long wanted to work with Ben — the director and the actor. He is one of the most engaged and versatile directors working today. Anyone who can make both ‘Zoolander’ and ‘Escape at Dannemora’ is a creative force to be reckoned with,” said Blanchett. 
 
Ben added, “I’m a huge fan of Cate’s for a very long time. I’m hoping this project will help people to finally take her seriously as an actress.”

Ben Stiller and Cate Blanchett are coming together for a project. They are all set to star in the film adaptation of the 1960s British TV show 'The Champions' by Dennis Spooner.

Ben Stiller and Cate Blanchett are coming together for a project. They are all set to star in the film adaptation of the 1960s British TV show 'The Champions' by Dennis Spooner. In addition to acting, Benn will be directing and producing the upcoming project. Brian Oliver and Bradley Fischer of New Republic will produce the project. Travis Scott has been charged twice before for inciting violence at his concert Blanchett is also producing through her company Dirty Films, and Stiller is producing through his label Red Hour Productions. The movie follows three United Nations agents whose plane crashes into the Himalayas. Upon being rescued by an advanced civilization secretly living in Tibet, they are granted enhanced intellectual and physical abilities. When the agents return to the outside world, they use their new superhuman abilities to become champions of law, order and justice, as per Variety. 'The Champions' was produced by Lew Grade’s ITC Entertainment and aired 30 episodes in the UK on ITV from 1968-69. Ruth Wilson to feature in Lena Dunham, Dennis Lehane's mafia drama “’Champions’ is a long-forgotten gem that will excite a new generation in the same strange and magnificent way that the original series spoke to us. I’ve long wanted to work with Ben — the director and the actor. He is one of the most engaged and versatile directors working today. Anyone who can make both ‘Zoolander’ and ‘Escape at Dannemora’ is a creative force to be reckoned with,” said Blanchett. Ben added, “I’m a huge fan of Cate’s for a very long time. I’m hoping this project will help people to finally take her seriously as an actress.”

Cate Blanchett & Ben Stiller to star in ‘The Champions’ movie adaptation

Australian actress Cate Blanchett had a close save from an accident that could have easily been fatal. The Oscar-winning actress recently joined Julia Gillard, the former Prime Minister of Australia, on her podcast last week, where she was asked about her time spent in quarantine amid the COVID-19 pandemic. 
 
The mother of four revealed that she had a small accident that involved chainsaw but she assured she only suffered a minor injury. 
 
Blanchett said on `A Podcast of One`s Own with Julia Gillard,` "I had a bit of a chainsaw accident yesterday which sounds very, very exciting but it wasn`t." 
 
"Apart from the little nick to my head, we`re fine," Blanchett assured the host without revealing exactly what she was doing with the mechanical tool. 
 
"Be very careful with that chainsaw. You`ve got a very famous head," Gillard responded. "I don`t think they will want to see any nicks taken out of it."Blanchett said with a laugh,"I know I want to keep it on my shoulders!" 
 
The actress who has four children shared that she had taken the year off to help support her eldest son with his schoolwork. Now, however, she joked that she`s "left with an 18-year-old who doesn`t want really to have anything to do with me!"

During the podcast, Blanchett also said that while playing teacher to her kids - she also transitioned to "being a kindergarten teacher" to her 5-year-old, and it has left her thinking about the importance of educators and what they should be getting paid. 
 
The actor commended Finland in particular for paying its teachers "the same as lawyers and doctors." 
 
She said she hopes countries come out of the global pandemic with more appreciation and funds for teachers. 
 
Blanchett said, "I have huge respect for the teaching profession," adding that "I hope out of this that teachers` wages will be increased and their respect will be amplified by COVID-19."

Australian actress Cate Blanchett had a close save from an accident that could have easily been fatal. The Oscar-winning actress recently joined Julia Gillard, the former Prime Minister of Australia, on her podcast last week, where she was asked about her time spent in quarantine amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Australian actress Cate Blanchett had a close save from an accident that could have easily been fatal. The Oscar-winning actress recently joined Julia Gillard, the former Prime Minister of Australia, on her podcast last week, where she was asked about her time spent in quarantine amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The mother of four revealed that she had a small accident that involved chainsaw but she assured she only suffered a minor injury. Blanchett said on `A Podcast of One`s Own with Julia Gillard,` "I had a bit of a chainsaw accident yesterday which sounds very, very exciting but it wasn`t." "Apart from the little nick to my head, we`re fine," Blanchett assured the host without revealing exactly what she was doing with the mechanical tool. "Be very careful with that chainsaw. You`ve got a very famous head," Gillard responded. "I don`t think they will want to see any nicks taken out of it."Blanchett said with a laugh,"I know I want to keep it on my shoulders!" The actress who has four children shared that she had taken the year off to help support her eldest son with his schoolwork. Now, however, she joked that she`s "left with an 18-year-old who doesn`t want really to have anything to do with me!" During the podcast, Blanchett also said that while playing teacher to her kids - she also transitioned to "being a kindergarten teacher" to her 5-year-old, and it has left her thinking about the importance of educators and what they should be getting paid. The actor commended Finland in particular for paying its teachers "the same as lawyers and doctors." She said she hopes countries come out of the global pandemic with more appreciation and funds for teachers. Blanchett said, "I have huge respect for the teaching profession," adding that "I hope out of this that teachers` wages will be increased and their respect will be amplified by COVID-19."

Cate Blanchett suffers head injury during chainsaw accident while in lockdown