Cannes (France): Australian actor Cate Elise Blanchett kicked off her stilettos on Friday night (local time) as she took the stage at the Cannes Film Festival party hosted by Variety and the Golden Globes, a report said. Because this is Cannes, where women are mandated to wear heels on the red carpet, shoes have become a political symbol on the French Riviera.
And indeed, in this case, as per reports, Blanchett went barefoot to make a statement: to stand in solidarity with the women of Iran. The A-list actor, on hand to present Holy Spider star Zahra Amir Ebrahim with a breakthrough artiste's award, grabbed the trophy and joked: "This is to stab everyone who stands in the way of women's rights. Up the vajayjay!" 'Vajayjay', incidentally, is the jocular expression for 'vagina'."
In her remarks, an emotional Ebrahimi called attention to her home country Iran, which is "executing innocent people". According to reports, she said, "I always thought being an actress was a paradox: serving the emotions of your own and being a flag or mirror or light. This award celebrates this paradox."
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Blanchett is regarded as one of the best performers of her generation. She is known for her versatile work across independent films, blockbusters, and stage. She has received numerous accolades, including two Academy Awards, four British Academy Film Awards, and four Golden Globe Awards, in addition to nominations for a Tony Award and two Primetime Emmy Awards.
Along with Ebrahimi, May December actor Charles Melton, Black Flies star Tye Sheridan and Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny breakout Shaunette Renee Wilson were also honoured at the gathering -- a first-time Cannes collaboration with Variety and the Golden Globes that celebrated breakthrough actors.
