Actor Kevin Spacey is stepping out of the Hollywood spotlight to return to his first love – independent, low budget cinema – in an effort to promote new blood in the industry.
Speaking at the Berlin Film Festival on Monday, the American Beauty actor announced that he's taking a break from acting to concentrate on his production company, Triggerstreet. “I’ve been acting non-stop for four or five years and taking a break is a healthy thing,” the 42-year-old actor said after a screening of his latest movie, The Shipping News.
The Oscar winner aims to foster young talent in the hope of giving something back to the independent cinema circuit that made him a star. “If I have been honoured by being welcomed into this industry," he says, "then it’s my honour and my responsibility to send the elevator back down."
Kevin made his name in indie films, getting his big break with a supporting role in the slick film noir The Usual Suspects, for which he won a Best Supporting Oscar in 1996. Four years later, he took home the Best Actor Oscar for American Beauty. This year Kevin has been nominated for a BAFTA for his lead in The Shipping News.
His first production project will be United States of Leland, which he is co-producing with writer-director Matthew Ryan Hoge.
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
