The Decision by Prince Charles Cinema to Cancel "Control" Screening
The cinema's last-minute cancellation has sparked controversy, disappointing the film's cast and crew. It also raises larger questions around censorship and denying work opportunities to controversial public figures, even after they have been acquitted of crimes.
Prince Charles Cinema Cites Backlash Fears in Email to "Control" Team
According to The Telegraph, Greg Lynn, who runs the independent theater near Leicester Square, emailed lead actress and producer Lauren Metcalfe to notify them of the cancellation.
In the email, Lynn wrote: “We have an issue and, unfortunately, we need to let you know that we have to cancel your booking with us, after we learned that your film features Kevin Spacey, particularly in his first role since the court case, and our team are concerned about being attacked just for hosting him, even if it's audio only.”
Metcalfe told Variety they were disappointed at first but have since found a better and more suitable venue, Genesis Cinema, to host the premiere screening.
Spacey's Lawyer Calls Decision "Extremely Disappointing"
In response to the cancellation, Kevin Spacey's lawyer Jay Scolnick described the decision as “deeply disappointing”.
Scolnick told Variety: “Mr. Spacey has proven his innocence in every courtroom he has faced, and every juror who has looked at the evidence against him refused to believe the false claims. The Prince Charles Cinema’s decision to censor Mr. Spacey’s new and exciting thriller project is extremely disappointing. It ignores the legal process of two countries and ignores hard evidence proving Mr. Spacey’s innocence. It ignores the unanimous verdicts of dozens of neutral jurors who found Mr. Spacey 100% not guilty.”
About the Film "Control" and Spacey's Brief Role
The thriller "Control", directed by Gene Fallas, follows fictional British Home Secretary Stella Simmons (Metcalfe) who is having an affair with the Prime Minister David Adams (Mark Hampton).
One night while driving her daughter home, their self-driving car is hijacked by an invisible intruder (voiced by Spacey) who threatens to kill them. "Control" is slated for a theatrical release on December 15.
Spacey's voice-only role as the unseen antagonist marks his first acting project since being cleared of sexual assault charges during a highly publicized trial in London last summer.
The two-time Oscar winner had been accused of misconduct by several men during the #MeToo movement, leading to his dismissal from the popular Netflix series "House of Cards". The criminal charges in the UK revolved around alleged incidents with three men between 2005 and 2013 when Spacey was artistic director at the Old Vic theater.
Ultimately, Spacey was exonerated by a jury after the victims' testimonies were called into question. The actor maintained his innocence throughout the legal proceedings.
Broader Questions Raised by the Cancellation
The last-minute cancellation by the Prince Charles Cinema raises broader discussions around whether controversial figures like Spacey should be denied work and public platforms, even after being acquitted of crimes in a court of law.
While some argue Spacey is still a problematic figure and venues should be able to distance themselves to avoid backlash, others see the cancellation as unfair censorship that goes against justice being served through proper legal channels.
The minor voice-only role hardly constitutes a major comeback for Spacey. Yet the hesitancy around hosting even a small project indicates the sensitivities around #MeToo figures resuming public life post-acquittal.
It also sets a precedent where mere association with controversial figures like Spacey is seen as liability, regardless of their actual guilt or the role's prominence. This could make it difficult for Spacey and others in similar situations to find work after acquittal.
Ultimately, the screening cancellation denies viewers the opportunity to judge the film on its own merits versus focusing solely on the distracting presence of Spacey in a small capacity. It also prevents the cast and crew's work from being judged independently rather than simply dismissed due to associations beyond their control.
The filmmakers' disappointment suggests this could disincentivize collaboration with polarizing figures even in minor roles, limiting artistic freedom. The screening could have tested viewers' ability to objectively judge art separate from personal opinions onSpacey. Its cancellation means this litmus test for separation of art and artist will have to wait.
