(AGI) Cannes, May 16 - Cate Blanchett, in Cannes at theInternational Film Festival for the presentation of ToddHaynes's "Carol", one of the films selected for thecompetition, denied having told Variety in an interview thatshe had had love affairs with women. "I have had manyrelationships with women. Have I had sexual relations withwomen? The answer is no," Blanchett told reporters at a mediaconference on Sunday. The issue of gay relationships did notcome up by chance seeing that Todd Haynes' film precisely tellsthe love story between two women during the '50s, thenoblewoman Carol (Blanchett), who was married and had adaugher, and the young Therese (Rooney Mara), a lover ofphotography and a salesgirl in a toy shop. They fall in love atfirst sight the moment they exchange glances on Therese'sworkplace. Their approach is slow and cumbersome, asoul-searching voyage that will lead them to know and discovereach other against all social prejudice. The love story waswritten by Patricia Highsmith, the author of psychologicalcrime thrillers but who, in this case, "gave us her mostpersonal novel in which no crime is committed," said Haynes,who also directed "I'm not there", in which Cate Blanchettplayed Bob Dylan. "Carol" is the story of an intense loveaffair. "When I read the book I thought Cate would be perfectfor the role," Haynes said. "The challenge of playing acharacter, originated from a Patricia Highsmith' story, is thatthey are so illusive, magnetic and mysterious. And I thinkCarol is quintessentially all of those things," said anextremely talented Cate Blanchett, who is competing for thePalme d'Or. She is overwhelmed by a love that could happen toanybody, a love that sweeps you off your feet like anuncontrollable tsunami that throws you into chaos, she added. . .