Kevin Spacey marks much-awaited comeback with Lifetime Honour at the Cannes

Oscar-winning actor Kevin Spacey is marking his return at Cannes, garnering the Lifetime Achievement Award for Excellence in Film and Television at the Better World Fund’s 10th-anniversary gala, which is to be held at the prestigious Carlton Hotel in Cannes. Though not part of the official Cannes Film Festival, the event is expected to draw considerable attention to his comeback as well as the controversy surrounding him.

 

The award, presented by the Better World Fund’s president Manuel Collas De La Roche, honors Spacey’s decades of artistic brilliance and his enduring impact on cinema and the arts. Spacey, known for his critically lauded performances in The Usual Suspects and House of Cards, has kept a low profile, away from the limelight since he was allegedly charged with multiple accounts of sexual misconduct back in 2017.

 

However, Spacey has returned to the public after being acquitted of all charges by a UK court in July 2023. In total, over 30 people have accused Spacey of sexual misconduct, leading to major career-derailing, including his removal from House of Cards and the shelving of a biopic about Gore Vidal.

 

Despite the lingering controversy attributed to him, Spacey has slowly begun to mark his revival. He previously received a Lifetime Achievement Award in Italy and voiced a character in the UK thriller Control, for which he was also honoured.

 

The actor is also promoting and looking for potential buyers for his latest film at the Cannes market. The film titled The Awakening is a British indie thriller. He is set to play the role of a shadowy figure sparking a global conspiracy. The film, directed by Matt Routledge, is being showcased at the Marché du Film which is an industry platform that runs parallel to the main festival. The co-stars include Peter Stormare, Alice Eve, and Justin Tinto.

 

Whether Spacey will be seen on the Cannes red carpet at the Palais des Festivals remains uncertain. His potential appearance is especially charged, given that the festival itself has faced criticism for its handling of sexual misconduct cases—most recently banning an actor from its red-carpet following rape allegations.

 

While the Better World Fund stands by its recognition of Spacey’s artistic legacy, his comeback is bound to reignite public debate. For some, it marks the rehabilitation of a once-revered actor. For others, it raises uncomfortable questions about accountability and redemption.

Entertainment