Kevin Spacey honored in Cannes: Comeback against Cancel Culture?

Is that the return of an outlawed? Kevin Spacey was honored with a prize for his life’s work on the sidelines of Cannes Film Festival-and in his acceptance speech against Cancel Culture, « Who would have thought that it was a courageous idea to honor someone who has ever been relieved in every single courtroom, » said the 65-year-old actor. Spacey thus alludes to the headlines, allegations and processes that had affected him in recent years.

Kevin Spacey focused on the « Metoo » movement in 2017

Cancel Culture describes the public grant or boycotting of people who are accused of misconduct. Kevin Spacey’s career had also faltered after allegations. For his artistic performance in Hollywood films such as « American Beauty », he had been cheered for a long time, by the cinema audience and critics. The actor won two Oscars. The figure of the shady president Frank Underwood was considered his parade role in the « House of Cards » series. Spacey also headed the Old Vic Theater in London for twelve years, was a director and producer. But from 2017 there were allegations: Several men accused Spacey due to sexual assault. The accusations that the actor Anthony Rapp made public against Spacey resulted in more.

Spacey denied the allegations and a New York jury spoke him free in 2022. Other lawsuits were withdrawn or rejected due to limitation. In 2023 there was also an acquittal for Spacey in a court proceedings in London, in which four men had accused him of sexual attacks. These cases fell at a time when the « Metoo » movement denounced the silence of abuse and attacks. The case of the Hollywood star producer Harvey Weinstein, who was charged by several women for sexual harassment and rape, triggered this movement. The trial against the Mogul in New York is currently being reopened.

Despite his acquittals and complaints that have been dropped, Kevin Spacey has not played larger roles since then. Hollywood avoided the actor. The makers of « House of Cards » stroked his role as Frank Underwood from the Netflix series. « It is very nice to be back, » said Spacey on the edge of the gala in Cannes. Does the award mean a comeback for him? Spacey replied: « Well, I’m glad I am working again. I can tell you that. »

Kevin Spacey talks about Cancel Culture in Cannes

In his acceptance speech, Spacey addressed cases in which people were wrongly « canceled ». For example, the US screenwriter Dalton Trumbo, who ended up on the « Hollywood Blacklist » in the 1940s and 1950s, who prohibited the work with artists who were said to be close to communism.

« There are times when you have to stand up for principles, » said Spacey in Cannes. « I learned a lot from history. It repeats itself very often. The ‘black list’ was a terrible time in our industry, but we have to learn from it so that something like this never happens again. »

Kevin Spacey couldn’t find any jobs in Hollywood for a long time

The organization Better World Fund honored Spacey with the price. Does Kevin Spacey celebrate his comeback with it? Some media already describe the award as one of the greatest “descanceling” in the celebrity world. The 65-year-old is marketing the thriller « The Awakening » on the film market in Cannes, in which he plays along. It is a smaller production and the first film that Spacey made in London after his acquittal in 2023. (Veli, with dpa)