Sep 10
'Carol' Star Cate Blanchett Recalls the Struggle to Get a Film About 'Two Women Falling in Love' Made
Kilian Melloy READ TIME: 2 MIN.
"Carol," starring Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara, is a classic today of both Todd Haynes' filmography and of queer cinema. But it took five years to get funding for a movie about "two women, falling in love," Blanchett revealed in comments to an audience at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF).
"Blanchett, who is at TIFF supporting Alfonso Cuarón's Apple TV+ show 'Disclaimer' and Guy Maddin's film 'Rumours,' was welcomed at the Royal Alexandra Theatre with a standing ovation after fans lined up early to acquire rush tickets to the event," Variety reported.
"It was a five-year period, because no one wanted to fund it at that point," the acclaimed actor said of the film, which is based on the Patricia Highsmith novel "The Price of Salt."
The doubt that hovered over the film, she explained, was the question of, "who was going to watch a film with one woman, let alone two women, falling in love?"
The novel, published in 1952 under a pseudonym, was groundbreaking for its depiction of same-sex love that didn't end in tragedy, suicide, or other grim consequences. But half a century later, the skepticism around a film about a middle-aged, well-off housewife and a younger department store employee, both women, entering into a romantic relationship still seemed to leave Hollywood cold.
"It was a risky endeavor at the time, unfortunately," Blanchett recalled.
The actor (who had also starred in another film adaptation of a Highsmith novel, 1999's "The Talented Mr. Ripley") had even stepped away from the project when it was being helmed by someone else – but once it landed with Haynes, she signed up again.
"We do think about how much still has to change within the industry in terms of equity, inclusion and making films more sustainably," Blanchett told her audience. Still, she allowed, "we have made huge advances."
The "Tár" star said she and Haynes had never had friction on the set, but she couldn't say the same thing of every director she's worked with.
"There is a misconception somehow that making the film, when it's great, it's like summer camp, and I've been on a couple of those, and the films have been fucking awful," Blanchett said, Variety relayed.
"Polite disagreement, respectful disagreement is super important in the creative process."
Kilian Melloy serves as EDGE Media Network's Associate Arts Editor and Staff Contributor. His professional memberships include the National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association, the Boston Online Film Critics Association, The Gay and Lesbian Entertainment Critics Association, and the Boston Theater Critics Association's Elliot Norton Awards Committee.
