Cate Blanchett Says Social Media Shouldn't Be 'Judge And Jury' When Asked About #MeToo And Woody Allen

As we’ve covered previously, actors and actresses that have previously worked with Woody Allen are now being forced to speak out on the sexual assault controversy surrounding the filmmaker. While some have gone on the record to defend the director, many have spoken out about how the allegations about him are enough for them to never work with Allen again. Some people have gone so far as to donate their salaries.

Recently, actress Cate Blanchett was a guest on CNN’s “Amanpour,” where the host, Christiane Amanpour asked her flat-out about the allegations against Woody Allen, and why the actress has been silent.

“How do you juxtapose being a #MeToo proponent, a Time’s Up proponent, and staying silent or having worked with Woody Allen?” Amanpour asked.

“I don’t think I’ve stayed silent at all. At the time that I worked with Woody Allen, I knew nothing of the allegations,” Blanchett responded. “At the time, I said it’s a very painful and complicated situation for the family, which I hope they have the ability to resolve.”

For those that have worked with Allen, this response is the typical answer given. Denying knowledge absolves guilt for working with him, however, it’s the actions moving forward that seems to be the differentiating factor between those who have spoken out.

Blanchett continues, “If these allegations need to be reexamined which, in my understanding, they’ve been through court, then I’m a big believer in the justice system and setting legal precedents. If the case needs to be reopened, I am absolutely, wholeheartedly in support of that.”

Uh oh, it looks like Blanchett is going for the Allen defense of “these allegations have already been tried in court.” While others have used this as a way to justify working with the filmmaker, it seems like Blanchett is using it as a way to segue into her bigger point. She believes that the way these accusations are being made, via social media, is the problem.

“Social media is fantastic about raising the awareness of issues, but it’s not the judge and jury,” said the actress. “I feel that these things need to go into court, so if these abuses have happened, the person is prosecuted and so someone who is not in the shiny industry that I am can use that legal precedent to protect themselves. Always, in my industry or any other industry, they’re preyed upon because they’re vulnerable.”

As many people have said, all over various media outlets, it’s not as simple as that. Most sexual misconduct, whether it be harassment or assault, never makes it to court and is swept under the rug. Social media has become a platform for people, particularly women, to speak up and have their voices heard when maybe the legal system or others in power have not.

We’ll have to see if Blanchett further clarifies her statements moving forward.

You can watch the whole exchange below: