Cate Blanchett: Trigger Warnings Imply a ‘Lack of Mutual Respect’

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Cate Blanchett: Trigger Warnings Imply a ‘Lack of Mutual Respect’

Cate Blanchett recently fought back on the idea of trigger warnings, calling them a sign of a lack of respect between the audiences and the media they’re watching.

Speaking to The Sunday Times recently, Blanchett brought up her 2022 film as an example of pushing the boundaries of what can be explored in a movie. According to Blanchett, a film like Tar is necessary, because “you don’t want a film about which everybody is going to say, ‘Well done.’ When people debate it it’s absolutely thrilling.”

Blanchett would go on to say that audiences are “terrified of tough conversations,” even though they may be necessary.

Blanchett thinks audiences are “terrified of tough conversations”

“We are terrified of tough conversations… but we need them,” said Blanchett. “We talk about radical candour, but when there’s a trigger warning in front of something you are implying that there is a lack of mutual respect or that the subject hasn’t been properly interrogated.”

The legendary actress went on to say that there’s nothing she enjoys more than “with a bunch of strangers in the dark, collectively committed to watch what you are dealt with, to then discuss robustly,” even if it may offend people.

It may offend you,” Blanchett said. “It may challenge you. You may laugh uproariously. You just don’t know, but you are going to surrender to what is coming.”