Kevin Spacey: achievement or step backwards? The debate about Cancel Culture

Von WOM

Kevin Spacey wurde bei den Filmfestspielen in Cannes für sein Lebenswerk geehrt und kritisierte in seiner Rede die Cancel Culture.
Kevin Spacey was honored for his life's work at the film festival in Cannes and criticized the Cancel Culture in his speech. (Symbolbild/DNAT)

Cannes, Frankreich - Kevin Spacey was honored with a prize for his life's work on the edge of the Film Festival in Cannes. The award came at a time when the controversy around his person and the associated allegations of sexual misconduct are in the room. In his acceptance speech against the Cancel Culture, Spacey addressed a term that describes the public omination or boycotting of individuals who are denounced due to misconduct. He emphasized that he was relieved of the allegations in every courtroom that he entered, and referred to his acquittals, including a New York jury in 2022.

The allegations against Spacey were first loud in 2017 as part of the Metoo debate when Anthony Rapp accused him of wanting to "seduce" him as a 14-year-old. These accusations led to his retreat from the public and a heavily damaged career. In his speech in Cannes, Spacey recalled the US script author Dalton Trumbo, who became a victim of similar public ostracism in the 1940s and 1950s. Spacey called for learning from history to avoid mistakes in the past.

The influence of Cancel Culture

CANCEL Culture is often considered a form of public discourse that condemns the acts of people. Critics indicate that this culture can be toxic and harms both movements and #metoo and individual individuals. In this context, Spacey said that the #metoo movement was "unfair" and "went too far". He called for a return to the film industry and sought to restart his career after years of absence, as part of a process of reparation.

In an interview at Newsnation, Spacey said that he had learned from his experience and that he would no longer act questionable in the future. These statements are in contrast to the public perception, which, according to the allegations, described him as "hideous sexual predator". In fact, in 2022 jurors concluded the lawsuits against him as unfounded. At the same time, the Cancel Culture is seen in public as a "overpowering weapon", which can destroy careers and reputation.

The return to the spotlight

Spacey will market his new thriller "The Awakening" in Cannes, which represents his first film production after an acquittal in London in 2023. Despite his remarkable return, it remains questionable whether Hollywood is willing to hire Spacey again in larger productions. So far, the industry has largely avoided it, which many interpret as part of the continuing effects of the Cancel Culture.

In recent years, Spacey has received support from prominent supporters such as Sharon Stone and Stephen Fry, who were strong for his return to Hollywood. Despite the support and efforts to change the public discourse, the question of whether such a return to the film business is possible remains, especially in view of the shadows that throw the allegations in the industry.

The discussion about Spacey symbolizes the broader challenges associated with the Cancel Culture and the associated ethical questions. The debate has the potential to influence the landscape of art and entertainment sustainably. Journalistic approach that deals with such cases could increase the toxic culture and thus question the balance between justice and freedom of expression in society. Sensitive, reflected handling of these topics is required to promote a less toxic form of public discourse in the future.

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OrtCannes, Frankreich
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