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Kevin Spacey returned to the Cannes Film Festival on Tuesday evening for the first time since 2016, delivering a defiant and emotional speech during a gala hosted by the Better World Fund. The event, which awarded Spacey a lifetime achievement honor, marked a significant moment for the actor following years of legal battles and industry exile.
Spacey, who was found not guilty in both U.S. and U.K. courtrooms on multiple sexual assault charges, took the stage to reflect on his experience. Drawing comparisons between his own fallout and the blacklisting of screenwriter Dalton Trumbo, he thanked the organization for inviting him despite the controversy. “Who would have ever thought that honoring someone who has been exonerated in every single courtroom he’s ever walked into would be thought of as a brave idea,” he said.
Referencing actor Kirk Douglas, who championed Trumbo during the McCarthy era, Spacey added, “It’s easy for us actors to play the hero on screen... but in real life, the choices are not always so clear.”
He concluded his remarks by quoting Elton John: “I’m still standing,” describing the music legend as a “friend.”
Better World Fund president Manuel Collas de la Roche praised Spacey as an artist who embodies the intersection of “art and influence.” The event also featured a charity auction, with high-priced items like a guitar signed by Sting and a cigar humidifier.
Spacey’s visit coincides with efforts to sell his upcoming film The Awakening, a British indie thriller in which he plays the head of a secretive global cabal. The film is his first since being acquitted in the U.K. in 2023 and is being promoted at this year’s market.
Published - May 21, 2025 12:17 pm IST
English (US) ·