Kevin Spacey’s Comeback Showcased at Venice
Kevin Spacey continues his return to the limelight with a scheduled appearance at the Venice Film Festival in Italy. During a gala event on August 29, he will present a trailer for his upcoming sci-fi thriller, Holiguards Saga — The Portal of Force, which aims to kickstart a new franchise.
Film Details and Casting
In Holiguards, Spacey stars alongside a notable cast that includes Dolph Lundgren, Tyrese Gibson, Brianna Hildebrand, Disha Patani, Eric Roberts, Harry Goodwins, and Lado Okhotnikov. The plot revolves around a secret war waged between two ancient supernatural factions known as the Holiguards and the Statiguards, each vying for control over humanity.
A central character uncovers her identity as the daughter of two opposing leaders, which endows her with the potential to resolve the conflict. The story escalates as a Statiguard strategist plans a devastating attack in Paris, utilizing a nuclear device and an army of mind-controlled civilians to harness energy from a cosmic portal and awaken an ancient power called the Prime.
Event Collaboration and Highlights
The gala, produced in collaboration with Elledgy Media Group, will feature appearances by film team members such as actor Goodwins and Elvira Paterson-Gavrilova, the founder of Elledgy Media. The program promises an exciting lineup, including performances from an opera singer and the Holiguard Fire dance ensemble, who have choreographed a series of acts for the film.
“This project was both a challenge and an inspiration for us. Holiguards is a story about choice, strength, and inner conflict, told through the language of cinema,” Paterson-Gavrilova stated. “As a producer, it was important for me to support an ambitious production that is not afraid to be new, complex, and honest. The entire film crew is proud that we are bringing this vision to life step by step.”
A New Chapter in Spacey’s Career
This film marks Spacey’s first directorial venture in two decades, veering away from his previous works such as 2004’s Beyond the Sea and the 1996 crime thriller Albino Alligator. The $10 million project was filmed in Mexico between 2023 and 2024, with post-production handled by Elledgy Media Group and Lado Film. Paterson-Gavrilova developed the project from a script written by Lado Okhotnikov and Sergey Torchilin.
Public Recognition and Awards
Spacey has been progressively re-establishing his career, having attended an awards ceremony this past May at the Cannes Film Festival, where he received recognition from the Better World Fund for his contributions to film and television. Despite the challenges stemming from sexual misconduct allegations and a firing from Netflix’s House of Cards in 2017, Spacey has maintained his innocence and was acquitted in trials related to sexual assault.
In his acceptance speech, he remarked, “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 also expressed gratitude towards his manager and “best friend,” Evan Lowenstein, for supporting him through challenging times.
Last year, Spacey was awarded for his voice role in the U.K. action thriller Control at the Folkestone Independent Film Awards and received Italy’s Nations Award for Lifetime Achievement in a special gala in Taormina. Since the Cannes event, he has also participated in the Italian Global Series Festival and attended Andrea Bocelli’s Notti Toscane event.
