Cate Blanchett

I suppose the more established one gets, you have what's called a reputation, and so you want to protect that and preserve that. And I think the bravery really comes in one's mid career where you then are constantly trying to move beyond that and move past that, because those so-called successors can become shackles. ”

It was only when I realized how actors have the power to move people that I decided to pursue acting as a career. ”

I'm not particularly needy, and I'm not particularly anxious. I don't look for a director to tell me I'm doing a good job or that I'm great. I don't need to be stroked. It's more my own yardstick. ”

People assume actors are born liars, but I'd argue the actor's job is to tell the truth. And I've realised I'm not a good liar. ”

I'm incredibly lucky that my profession allows me to be where I choose, really. ”

When something is a vocation, you don't really make a decision about it. ”

I don't have a sense of entitlement or that I deserve this. You'd be surprised at the lack of competition between nominees - I think a lot of it's imposed from the outside. Can I have my champagne now? ”

When you are proud of something you have done, and you have made a film you feel has merit, and it's found an audience and is critically well received, that's a pretty pleasurable place to be. I mean, you don't want it gathering dust at the bottom of someone's DVD collection. ”

The power of the story sheds a light and great perspective on well known facts. The power of cinema draws on that collective history. ”

When I see daughters with their fathers I wonder what that would be like, although not in a way that immobilises me. ”