Cate Blanchett reveals she's had 'many' women lovers as her lesbian film opens at Cannes

Actress Cate Blanchett has revealed that she's had "many" women lovers ahead of the opening of her lesbian romance film Carol.

The two-time Academy Award-winner made the admission in a conversation published Tuesday in Variety. The movie makes its world premiere Sunday at the Cannes Film Festival.

When asked if she considered her own sexuality as a guide when preparing for the role, Blanchett said she "never thought about it."

Blanchett stars as an wealthy, married woman in love with a younger department store clerk, played by The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo actress Rooney Mara.

​The film, based on the 1952 novel, The Price of Salt by Patricia Highsmith, was in development for 15 years, with several directors dropping out before finally being shot. 

More films starring women needed

The 45-year-old Australian actress, who recently starred in Cinderella, suggested that films with women in the lead roles, like in Carol, are difficult to finance.

"There are a lot of people labouring under the misapprehension that people don't want to see them, which isn't true." 

The film, directed by Todd Haynes, is in competition for the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival.

Carol premieres at the festival on May 17.