Friday, February 14, 2025

Inside Cate Blanchett’s Artistic Flow: Her Film Journey & Inspirations from David Lynch at Rotterdam Festival!

Actress-producer Cate Blanchett and director Guy Maddin shared insights about their paths into the film industry as well as their experiences of “flow” in making art during a recent event at the International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR). This notable discussion took place in front of over 800 audience members at the Oude Luxor Theater, shortly after the festival screening of their film, Rumours. Blanchett reflected on her early career aspirations, stating, “I never, ever thought I could work in the film industry. I was resigned happily to having a career in the theater. I didn’t think that I was that girl, and at the time, there was certainly a sense that women had a certain shelf life in the film industry, and a certain type of woman got to parade on screen. But I loved watching films, and I had such an eclectic taste. I think it’s the benefit of growing up with four Australian terrestrial channels.”

As the conversation progressed, Blanchett mentioned that it was a film excursion for a French class in high school that sparked her interest in pursuing a career in film. “I was hypnotized by the cinematic storytelling, and it felt like quite an adult experience. Our teacher treated us like adults. She talked about cinema in a certain way that made me think, although I think I’ve learned more about cinema than I did French, unfortunately, from that teacher,” she explained. Additionally, she cited the influential work of Jane Campion as a significant source of inspiration in her artistic journey.

Guy Maddin also shared his early career aspirations and the twists and turns that led him to filmmaking. Initially aiming to become a writer, he recounted some misadventures in acting before delving into directing. “I fancied in my early twenties being a writer, but I was a good enough reader to know I could never be a good enough writer that I would want to read,” said Maddin. He shifted to filmmaking, realizing a deep connection to movies that moved him profoundly. Among his notable works are My Winnipeg, The Saddest Music in the World, and The Green Fog.

Maddin emphasized the impact of David Lynch’s film Eraserhead on his perception of cinema. “Eraserhead was a real eye opener — rest in peace, David. I couldn’t sleep after seeing it, not just because of the incredible vibrations I took home with me from the sound design and the shocking images, but I couldn’t believe that David Lynch had made a movie about me 10 years earlier,” he shared. This revelation about the intertwining of dreams and reality was also reflected in Maddin’s personal experiences after his father’s death at a young age. The profound loss prompted a shift in his worldview.

“My father had died when I was 21. I found out that I was going to be a father eight hours before my dad died and so it was kind of this really defamiliarizing of the world that happened all at once. A few months later, I started having dreams that my father hadn’t died, that he had just abandoned the family. I totally forgot sometimes that these were dreams, and that he’d gone to live with a better family,” Maddin recounted, capturing the raw emotion that defined his early days as a filmmaker.

Delving into the inspiration he finds in classical literature, Maddin noted the significant influence of Greek tragedies, specifically referencing “Electra” by Euripides. “I just started reading Greek tragedies, because those things have been entrenched for 2500 years. There’s got to be something I can steal,” he said, admitting to the powerful weight of cultural narratives on his storytelling.

Responding to Maddin’s perspective on drawing from existing works, Blanchett emphasized the importance of understanding originality in art. “We’re told as developing artists that somehow you have to find your own voice, whereas I will beg, borrow or steal from anyone and anything,” she remarked. She explained how elements from other artists foster a dialogue that enriches her own creative expressions. “If somehow you’re in dialogue with that filmmaker, actor or that cinematographer, sometimes that reference will be recognizable, or you might end up throwing it out somewhere else. But I think it’s often in trying to replicate, in a strange way that you find something unique.”

Discussing the concept of artistic flow, Maddin described it as a “narcotic tingle,” inspired by the writings of Russian-American author Vladimir Nabokov. “I know that in some of the experiences that I’ve had as a filmmaker, sometimes art produces those tingles for example, a certain few shots in a row, or when the music actually matches an image. Or even before I was interested in film, when I played team sports, sometimes it was just a great feeling that you had,” he elaborated. However, Blanchett offered her own approach, advocating for letting go of that feeling to foster growth and learning. “I’d never dwell on that feeling. You have to let it go,” she advised. “It’s like a love affair. It’s sort of like, ‘Oh, that was amazing.’ And then it’s out the door, and I think you learn a lot more from your embarrassing failures when you do that.”

Cate Blanchett’s insights into artistic flow and her experiences navigating the film industry highlight the complexities of being a woman in a male-dominated field. As she reflects on her artistic journey, both she and Maddin provide inspiring narratives that resonate with many aspiring filmmakers. Their dialogues accentuate the notion that continuous learning, embracing influences, and channeling personal experiences foster authentic creativity in the ever-evolving world of cinema. The lasting impact of these discussions at IFFR emphasizes the importance of storytelling as a means of connection within the cinematic landscape. With industry leaders like Blanchett and Maddin at the forefront, the future of film holds promising possibilities for new voices and transformative narratives.

RELATED ARTICLES

RELATED ARTICLES

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Most Popular