But nooooo , nakedness on the blood-red carpeting is the real problem …
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,surelySpacey must have been in some wondrous film or TV show as of late? No, of course he hasn’t. Since 2017, the actor has facednumerous allegationsof sexual misconduct, starting with actor Anthony Rapp accusing him of making a “sexual advance” toward him when he was 14.
Now, Spacey was foundnot liablefor 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 consistentlydeniedallegations of misconduct.
But that’s not the end of his legal woes. He’s currently facing at least two civil lawsuits in the UKallegingsexual abuse. In total, Spacey has beenaccusedof sexual misconduct by over 30 men. This includes hisL.A. Confidentialcostar 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. Spaceysaidin 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.”
Yes, folks, losing your career because you might be a communist istotallythe 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.
Now, to the credit of the festival itself, it’s worth noting that the award ceremony was not an official event. A statement tothe Guardianfrom 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 movieJeanne du Barry—Varietywrote 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 Depardieurecently beganhis 18-month suspended sentence for sexual assault.
As perVariety, 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 ofCase 137as 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 ofDie, My Love,has facedallegationsof abuse and grooming. Then there’s Shia LaBeouf, who attended the red carpet forThe Phoenician Scheme,despite the factthat 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 calledSlauson Rec,whichreportedlyfeatures him screaming and behaving violently toward his acting students.
The real cherry on this shit sundae is that thesplashiestnew 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 someonesaysthey 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 actuallydosomething about it?
If you or someone you know has get sexual assault , you could call theNational Sexual Assault Hotlineat 1 - 800 - 656 - 4673 ( HOPE ) , which routes the caller to their skinny sexual violation servicing supplier . you’re able to also search for your local centerhere .
If you are concerned that a child is experience or may be in risk of abuse , you could call or text theNational Child Abuse Hotlineat 1 - 800 - 422 - 4453 ( 4.A.CHILD ) ; help can be provided in over 140 speech .
BuzzFeed has reached out to representatives for the Cannes Film Festival for comment.
But nooooo, nudity on the red carpet is the real problem…
