Latest news with #Spacey
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Let's Talk About Kevin Spacey, Shia LaBeouf, And Ezra Miller In Cannes
Note: This post is an Op-Ed and shares the author's personal views. Discussion of sexual abuse. Listen, I know that looking for feminism at the Cannes Film Festival might be like looking for oranges at the scrap heap. But, for the love of god, Kevin Spacey was just awarded with the "excellence in film and television" lifetime achievement award at the Better World Fund's gala dinner. Well, surely Spacey must have been in some wondrous film or TV show as of late? No, of course he hasn't. Since 2017, the actor has faced numerous allegations of sexual misconduct, starting with actor Anthony Rapp accusing him of making a "sexual advance" toward him when he was 14. Now, Spacey was found not liable for sexual battery against Rapp. Criminal charges against him were dropped in Massachusetts. He was also cleared of all sexual assault charges in a UK trial against four men. Spacey himself has consistently denied allegations of misconduct. But that's not the end of his legal woes. He's currently facing at least two civil lawsuits in the UK alleging sexual abuse. In total, Spacey has been accused of sexual misconduct by over 30 men. This includes his L.A. Confidential costar Guy Pearce, to which Spacey said, "Grow up. You are not a victim." So, what did ol' Kev spend his time in Cannes doing? Comparing himself to artists who had been blacklisted during the McCarthy era. Spacey said in a speech of one such person, "He couldn't find work in Hollywood for 13 years... There are times when one has to stand up for principle. I've learned a lot from history — it often repeats itself. The blacklist was a terrible time in our history so that it never happens again." The award was, as per a Vulture writer in attendance, "an 'engagement award' for 'people who have engaged, inspired, and mobilized for a cause.'" The emcee even spoke about victims of violence. Yes, folks, losing your career because you might be a communist is totally the same thing as being #MeToo-ed. It feeds into other antagonistic language I've heard about the movement: that it's a witch hunt, that victims can just say any old thing and ruin men's lives. Never mind that serious abuse allegations don't stop you from being president of the goddamn United States, no, won't someone think of the men! Never even consider how many talented people we may have lost because of mistreatment. I swear to god if someone comments about how "Believe All Women" is wrong — THAT'S NOT THE SLOGAN. Now, to the credit of the festival itself, it's worth noting that the award ceremony was not an official event. A statement to the Guardian from the festival read, 'The Festival de Cannes had no involvement in, and was not informed of, either the invitation extended to Mr Spacey or the award presented during this private event.' But let's take a moment to look back. In 2024 — the year after Johnny Depp presented his movie Jeanne du Barry — Variety wrote that the festival began as the "belated" #MeToo movement came to the French film industry. This year continues in that suit: Previous Cannes fixture Gerard Depardieu recently began his 18-month suspended sentence for sexual assault. There's also been a parliamentary inquiry into the entertainment industry, which found misconduct to be "endemic." Inquiry chairwoman Sandrine Rousseau subsequently said, "The Cannes Film Festival must be the place where this shift in mindset happens; the place where we say loud and clear ... amid the glitter and the red carpets ... that finally, we all want things to change: every one of us, at every level of the industry." As per Variety, the festival issued a rule for this year "banning filmmakers or talent accused of sexual misconduct from walking the red carpet and presenting films at the festival." Actor Theo Navarro-Mussy was subsequently barred from the premiere of Case 137 as he had been accused of rape and sexual assault (though the charges were dropped, his accusers reportedly plan to appeal). It hasn't been foolproof. Ezra Miller, who walked down the red carpet of Die, My Love, has faced allegations of abuse and grooming. Then there's Shia LaBeouf, who attended the red carpet for The Phoenician Scheme, despite the fact that he's set to go to trial against his ex, FKA twigs, later this year in a case where she has alleged sexual assault and battery. To add insult to injury, LaBeouf is at the center of a documentary that also debuted at Cannes this year called Slauson Rec, which reportedly features him screaming and behaving violently toward his acting students. Shia also attended the photo call for the documentary. The real cherry on this shit sundae is that the splashiest new rule at Cannes was that the dress code had been updated to bar nudity and voluminous dresses. Many took this to be a comment on the presence of female nipples we've seen in recent years on the red carpet. It's funny what's considered bad behavior, isn't it? But hey, maybe my hopes are too high! If someone says they want to "guarantee that the films submitted have respected and continue respecting the safety, integrity and dignity of all contributors," then why on earth would I expect them to actually do something about it? If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault, you can call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 (HOPE), which routes the caller to their nearest sexual assault service provider. You can also search for your local center here. If you are concerned that a child is experiencing or may be in danger of abuse, you can call or text the National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-422-4453 ( service can be provided in over 140 languages. BuzzFeed has reached out to representatives for the Cannes Film Festival for comment.
Buzz Feed
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
Kevin Spacey And Shia LaBeouf At Cannes: Opinion
Note: This post is an Op-Ed and shares the author's personal views. Discussion of sexual abuse. Listen, I know that looking for feminism at the Cannes Film Festival might be like looking for oranges at the scrap heap. But, for the love of god, Kevin Spacey was just awarded with the "excellence in film and television" lifetime achievement award at the Better World Fund's gala dinner. Well, surely Spacey must have been in some wonderous film or TV show as of late? No, of course he hasn't. Since 2017, the actor has faced numerous allegations of sexual misconduct, starting with actor Anthony Rapp accusing him of making a "sexual advance" towards him when he was 14. Now, Spacey was found not liable for sexual battery against Rapp. Criminal charges against him were dropped in Massachusetts. He was also cleared of all sexual assault charges in a UK trial against four men. Spacey himself has consistently denied allegations of misconduct. But that's not the end of his legal woes. He's currently facing at least two civil lawsuits in the UK alleging sexual abuse. In total, Spacey has been accused of sexual misconduct by over 30 men. This includes his LA Confidential costar Guy Pearce, to which Spacey said, "Grow up. You are not a victim." So, what did ol' Kev spend his time in Cannes doing? Comparing himself to artists who had been blacklisted during the McCarthy era. Spacey said in a speech of one such person, "He couldn't find work in Hollywood for 13 years... There are times when one has to stand up for principle. I've learned a lot from history — it often repeats itself. The blacklist was a terrible time in our history so that it never happens again." The award was, as per a Vulture writer in attendance, "an 'engagement award' for 'people who have engaged, inspired, and mobilized for a cause.'" The emcee even spoke about victims of violence. Yes, folks, losing your career because you might be a communist is totally the same thing as being #MeToo-ed. It feeds into other antagonistic language I've heard about the movement: That it's a witch hunt, that victims can just say any old thing and ruin men's lives. Never mind that serious abuse allegations don't stop you from being President of the goddamn United States, no, won't someone think of the men! Never even consider how many talented people we may have lost because of mistreatment. I swear to god if someone comments about how "Believe All Women" is wrong — THAT'S NOT THE SLOGAN. Now, to the credit of the festival itself, it's worth noting that the award ceremony was not an official event. In a statement to the Guardian from the festival read, 'The Festival de Cannes had no involvement in, and was not informed of, either the invitation extended to Mr Spacey or the award presented during this private event.' But let's take a moment to look back. In 2024 — the year after Johnny Depp presented his movie Jeanne du Barry — Variety wrote that the festival began as the "belated" #MeToo movement came to the French film industry. This year continues in that suit: previous Cannes fixture Gerard Depardieu recently began his 18-mont suspended sentence for sexual assault. There's also been a parliamentary inquiry into the entertainment industry, which found misconduct to be "endemic." Inquiry chairwoman Sandrine Rousseau subsequently said, "The Cannes Film Festival must be the place where this shift in mindset happens; the place where we say loud and clear ... amid the glitter and the red carpets ... that finally, we all want things to change: every one of us, at every level of the industry." As per Variety, the festival issued a rule for this year "banning filmmakers or talent accused of sexual misconduct from walking the red carpet and presenting films at the festival." Actor Theo Navarro-Mussy was subsequently barred from the premiere of Case 137 as he had been accused of rape and sexual assault (though the charges were dropped, his accusers reportedly plan to appeal). It hasn't been foolproof. Ezra Miller, who walked down the red carpet of Die My Love, and who's faced allegations of abuse and grooming. Then there's Shia LaBeouf, who attended the red carpet for The Phoenician Scheme, despite the fact that he's set to go to trial against his ex, FKA Twigs, later this year in a case where she has alleged sexual assault and battery. To add insult to injury, LaBeouf is at the center of a documentary that also debuted at Cannes this year called Slauson Rec, which reportedly features him screaming and behaving violently towards his acting students. Shia also attended the photo call for the documentary. The real cherry on this shit sundae is that the splashiest new rule at Cannes was that the dress code had been updated to bar nudity and voluminous dresses. Many took this to be on a comment on the presence of female nipples we've seen in recent years on the red carpet. It's funny what's considered bad behavior, isn't it? But hey, maybe my hopes are too high! If someone says they want to "guarantee that the films submitted have respected and continue respecting the safety, integrity and dignity of all contributors," then why on earth would I expect them to actually do something about it? BuzzFeed has reached out to representatives for the Cannes Film Festival for comment.
Scottish Sun
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Kevin Spacey's cunning Hollywood comeback plan as it's revealed surprising A-list star is behind shock Cannes award
Former colleagues, including Oscar nominated actor Guy Pearce, continue to come forward with their tales of how unpleasant it was to work with Spacey WATCH THIS SPACEY Kevin Spacey's cunning Hollywood comeback plan as it's revealed surprising A-list star is behind shock Cannes award Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) IT takes a lot to upstage the eye-catching dresses on the famous la Croisette in Cannes, but the most outrageous moment of this year's film festival has been the return of Kevin Spacey. Even more shocking was the decision to hand a lifetime achievement award for 'decades of artistic brilliance' to the 65-year-old actor who has been accused of inappropriate behaviour and molesting young men over three decades. 13 Kevin Spacey received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Better World Fund Gala at the Carlton hotel this week, on the sidelines of the Cannes Film Festival Credit: AFP 13 The actor won a Best Actor Oscar for American Beauty in 2000 Credit: Alamy 13 Spacey pictured leaving Southwark Crown Court during a break while awaiting a verdict in his trial on sexual assault charges in London in 2023 Credit: Getty Those highly publicised accounts included actor Anthony Rapp alleging he was aged only 14 when Spacey pressed his groin onto him and actor Richard Dreyfuss's son Harry saying that Spacey preyed on him when he was just 18. Even though double Oscar winner Spacey has successfully defended civil and criminal claims, new accusers have continued to come forward. Yet at a glitzy dinner at the Carlton Hotel on the seafront in the South of France he was given the chance to rail against being 'blacklisted' and to boast 'I'm still standing'. So who would give the actor best known for The Usual Suspects and American Beauty this platform? The award ceremony, we can reveal, is connected to his old pal Sharon Stone. The Basic Instinct actress copped a lot of flack last year for calling for 'genius' Spacey to be given another chance. And she's backed the Better World Fund which handed out the gong on Tuesday night at the private event in Cannes. The audience paid up to £5,000 for a seat to be at the event aimed at raising money for the 'philanthropic' organisation which uses "cinema and art at the service of humanity". It seems to be part of the latest concerted attempt to bring the House of Cards star - who has just landed a part in a conspiracy action-thriller titled The Awakening, alongside English screen stars Alice Eve, Steven Berkoff and Julian Glover - in from the cold. One man backing Spacey's comeback is film producer Geoffrey Mark, who tells The Sun: 'He is a survivor. Of course what happened has hurt him. Kevin Spacey hit with new lawsuit over debts months after he was booted from mansion & admitted he feared homelessness 13 Sharon Stone copped a lot of flack last year for calling for 'genius' Spacey to be given another chance Credit: Getty 13 A statement issued by Cannes said it had no involvement in, and was not informed of, either the invitation extended to Mr Spacey or the award presented Credit: AP 13 The actor (pictured far right) is best known for his role in The Usual Suspects Credit: Getty Images - Getty 'Of course what's happened has harmed his career and his psyche. He wouldn't be human if it didn't. 'He won't be the lead in this film. He'll be the second lead, but he will steal the movie and he'll win another Oscar and then watch out. 'He deserves it. It's going to happen, folks.' That sounds fanciful, given Spacey's pariah status in parts of the film industry. The officials at the Cannes Film Festival made it perfectly clear that neither the award nor Spacey's first appearance there since 2016 had anything to do with them. The organisers put out a statement saying: 'The Festival de Cannes had no involvement in, and was not informed of, either the invitation extended to Mr Spacey or the award presented during this private event.' Many other people in the movie business want to keep their distance. When Sharon Stone, Liam Neeson and Stephen Fry stated publicly last May that Spacey should be rehabilitated, it wasn't well received. Afterwards Sharon admitted "people are mad at me' for standing up for him. Since then other stars have come forward with their tales of how unpleasant it was to work with the notorious actor. 13 Spacey addressing the media outside Southwark Crown Court in July 2023 Credit: AP 13 Kevin Spacey appears in a conspiracy action-thriller titled The Awakening alongside English screen star Alice Eve Credit: Getty Australian actor Guy Pearce claimed this year that he was 'targeted' by Spacey when they made the 1997 classic LA Confidential together. Pearce, 57, said: 'I was scared of Kevin, he's quite aggressive, extremely charming. I was young and susceptible.' Spacey denied the claims in a video, blasting back: 'Here you are now on a mission, some 28 years later, after I've been through hell and back." Last month Scottish actor David Hayman, 77, remembered having a word with Spacey about his behaviour while shooting the 2000 movie Ordinary Decent Criminal in Dublin. He claimed: 'Kevin Spacey is not a nice human being. He was being terrible to everyone.' Kevin Spacey is not a nice human being. He was being terrible to everyone David Hayman David alleged that he told the American star 'You are ruining everyone's lives, you are not being supportive and you are reducing people to tears, you are chasing young men around Dublin, you're not being professional.' Last year Scottish actor Ruari Cannon, 33, claimed he was pursued by Spacey while working at the Old Vic Theatre in south London. He alleged in a Channel 4 documentary titled Spacey Unmasked that Spacey, who was at that time artistic director of the famous theatre, touched Ruari intimately without his consent in 2013 when he was aged 21. Ruari has brought a civil case against the Hollywood actor at London's High Court, which is yet to be resolved. 13 Spacey is battling a civil case from actor Ruari Cannon over a 2003 molestation claim in London's High Court Credit: Getty In Spacey Unmasked in May 2024, ten men made accusations of sexually inappropriate behaviour. The included claims that he'd pleasured himself in front of a wannabe actor in a cinema and pushed his groin into the face of an Old Vic employee. The star denied doing anything 'illegal', and was found not guilty on all charges, but did admit to 'clumsy' approaches. With accusations still swirling around it is hard to imagine a major studio hiring Spacey. The streaming giant Netflix is yet to release the actor's portrayal of the American intellectual Gore Vidal eight years after the film titled Gore was made. The star was so toxic that British director Sir Ridley Scott reshot all the shamed actor's scenes in 2017's All the Money in the World, replacing him with Christopher Plummer at huge expense. 13 Guy Pearce claimed this year that he feared Spacey when they made LA Confidential together Credit: Alamy In the same year Netflix axed its political satire House of Cards, feeling it couldn't continue with its lead actor in so much hot water. Since then he's played an assassin in a poorly received film called Peter Five Eight and will next appear in The Awakening, which is seeking buyers at Cannes. The other forthcoming project is a historical drama called 1780 which is set during America's war of independence from Britain. But these are all small scale projects. Geoffrey insists that Spacey is working his way back into favour, saying: 'He is not done. He's just thinking it over and when he figures it out, get out of his way.' Other celebrity backers include Sir Elton John who partied with Spacey in Nice, France, after the actor was found not guilty of nine sexual offence charges in July 2023. The singer was a witness for the defence at the trial at Southwark Crown Court where four men claimed Spacey had forced himself upon them. A jury in a civil case in 2022 also found that Rapp had not proven his allegations. Spacey and his supporters argue that these legal successes prove his innocence. During his speech at Cannes, the actor complained: 'Who would have ever thought that honouring someone who has been exonerated in every single courtroom he's ever walked into would be thought of as a brave idea?' 'Too handsy' The truth, though, is that Spacey has admitted mistreating other men. After Anthony Rapp made his claims in 2017 Spacey's publicist said that the actor was seeking 'evaluation and treatment.' In a 2024 interview with Piers Morgan, the actor confessed to 'bad behaviour' and being 'too handsy'. The House of Cards producers sacked Spacey on the grounds that he was ill with 'compulsive sexual behaviour disorder'. They successfully sued him for £22million, due to the revenue they lost by having to cancel the show. Those huge costs almost bankrupted Spacey and he had to sell his home in Baltimore to pay his legal bills. But Spacey says that following his treatment he is a 'better person.' Geoffrey thinks that Spacey deserves another chance. He concludes: 'Let's give this wonderful man a break. Last time he was in a film, he was a sexy, handsome, leading man. 'Well, he's no longer young. It happens to all of us in show business. We have to adjust to our ages and play different kinds of roles. 'I think he's figuring out what would be good. And when he does, we're going to see him right at the top again." 13 When actor Anthony Rapp alleged in 2017 that in 1986 that Spacey had molested him when he was aged just 14, Spacey did make an apology Credit: AFP or licensors 13 House of Cards producers sacked Spacey in 2017 on the grounds that he was ill with 'compulsive sexual behaviour disorder' Credit: Capital Pictures
New Indian Express
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
Kevin Spacey delivers intense speech in Cannes return, quotes Elton John
The other day, Kevin Spacey, who was acquitted of sexual assault-related charges in 2023, made his comeback to the Cannes Film Festival for the first time after 2016. The actor, receiving the Award for Excellence in Film and Television from the Better World Fund, delivered an elongated and intense speech. In the speech, he compared his Hollywood expulsion to scenarist Dalton Trumbo's blacklisting and became emotional while speaking highly of his manager, best friend Evan Lowenstein. Spacey credited Lowenstein for helping him overcome 'these last few challenging years' and become a man who is 'more present, more loving, more understanding and more forgiving than' ever before. Describing the Better World Fund's decision to invite him to the event as a 'risk', Spacey sarcastically commented, 'Who would have ever thought that honouring someone who has been exonerated in every single courtroom he's ever walked into would be thought of as a brave idea?'
Scottish Sun
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Shamed Kevin Spacey slams Hollywood ‘blacklist culture' & says ‘I'm still standing' as he wins Cannes award
Read on to find out what film fans thought of Spacey's speech and award STAR'S GONG Shamed Kevin Spacey slams Hollywood 'blacklist culture' & says 'I'm still standing' as he wins Cannes award Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) SHAMED Kevin Spacey attacked Hollywood's 'blacklist culture' as he won a gong at Cannes and defiantly announced: 'I'm still standing.' The 65-year-old whose career stalled over multiple sex assault claims, signed off his lifetime achievement award speech with a nod to friend Sir Elton John's hit. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 2 Shamed Kevin Spacey has slammed Hollywood's 'blacklist culture' at Cannes and declared: 'I'm still standing' Credit: AP 2 Spacey leaves court in London in 2022 Credit: Getty He was acquitted on nine charges in 2023, is still involved in a civil trial over another allegation from 2008 and has admitted being 'too handsy' and 'pushing the boundaries'. Yet, in receiving his Better World Fund award at a private event, he said: 'Who would have ever thought that honouring someone who has been exonerated in every single courtroom he's ever walked into would be thought of as a brave idea?' He claimed a 'blacklist culture' still existed in the film industry, comparing it to the 1950s McCarthy era in the US when actors suspected of Communist sympathies were outlawed. The double Oscar-winner said: 'They, too, were unable to find work in Hollywood during that very lengthy dark period. 'Today, we find ourselves once again at the intersection of uncertainty and fear in the film business.' Social media users took aim at the decision to honour Spacey. One X user called it 'another embarrassing chapter in recent history'. Another wrote: 'Abusive men in our society are never cancelled.' The gala dinner was not an official Cannes event. A spokesman said: 'The Festival de Cannes had no involvement in, and was not informed of, either the invitation extended to Mr Spacey or the award presented during this private event.'
