The 2025 Cannes Film Festival has been all about the cinematic highlights of tomorrow. However, amid the swarming sea of A-listers, Cannes pulled out a rabbit from its hat as the House of Cards ex-cast member Kevin Spacey stepped up for the global gala almost a decade since his last appearance. Spacey’s attendance was quite a surprise. But as was expected, his presence came with an emotional forbearance.

Illuminating on his own ousting from the industry, Spacey seized the opportunity at Cannes to express his views in a touching speech.

According to a recent clip shared by Variety on X, Kevin Spacey’s attendance at Cannes 2025 on Tuesday evening came with a lengthy and emotional speech. Spacey was awarded a lifetime achievement award at the gala held by Better World Fund, where he likened his own showbiz exile to the blacklisting of screenwriter Dalton Trumbo. He signed off by quoting his “friend” Elton John, “I’m still standing.”

Better World Fund president Manuel Collas de la Roche extolled Spacey, saying he embodied the “powerful interaction between art and influence." The actor praised the gala for taking the “risks” in inviting him. “Who would have ever thought that honoring someone who has been exonerated in every single courtroom he’s ever walked into would be thought of as a brave idea,” he stated. Spacey was the star guest of the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, who was also brought on stage during an auction to urge the audience to pay attention.

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While the Cannes film festival has not been short of its fair share of A-list moments, Kevin Spacey’s arrival was marked with gratitude.

Kevin Spacey’s surprise visit to Cannes marks the first time he has attended the film festival since 2016, when he was the emcee of the amfAR gala. His career imploded the next year when he was charged with misconduct, leading to his departure from Netflix’s House of Cards. During his speech at Cannes, as shared in clips by Variety, the actor compared Better World Fund’s decision to invite him to Kirk Douglas’ support for Dalton Trumbo.

“Kirk Douglas took the risk and would later say, it’s easy for us actors to play hero on screen,” but in reality, the choice is not always black and white, Spacey recalled. For those unaware, The Awakening producers organized Spacey’s visit to Cannes, the British indie thriller in which he stars. The Awakening is the first movie Spacey reportedly filmed after being cleared of charges in the UK in 2023.

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What do you think of Kevin Spacey's fiery yet sentimental speech at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival? Let us know in the comments below!