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.
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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.”
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