Sissy Spacek Enthralls Cannes with Career Reflections
Oscar-winning actress Sissy Spacek graced the shores of Cannes, captivating a select audience with an engaging recount of her illustrious career spanning over five decades. Her charm, radiating from her Texas roots, set the tone for a lively dialogue filled with humor and memorable anecdotes.
Behind the Scenes of Iconic Roles
During this intimate gathering, Spacek shared insights about her groundbreaking performance in the 1976 classic, Carrie. She candidly reflected on the moment she almost lost the chance to star in Lynne Ramsay’s latest film, Die, My Love, showcased at this year’s Cannes festival.
A Rich Podcast Experience
The discussion formed part of the fourth annual live taping of the Awards Chatter podcast, hosted by Scott Feinberg, the executive editor of awards at THR. The ambiance was further enhanced by the gorgeous view of the Bay of Cannes from the luxurious Campari Lounge in the Palais, where the brand has proudly served as an official partner for the fourth consecutive year.
A Memorable Audition Story
Spacek recounted her first encounter with director Brian De Palma, facilitated by her husband, renowned production designer Jack Fisk. Leading up to her audition for Carrie, she immersed herself in the Stephen King novel, staying up late to absorb its essence while battling nerves. She arrived at her audition embodying the character, complete with Vaseline in her hair and a tattered dress. Despite her transformation, she left the audition convinced she had lost her chance at the role.
“I thought, ‘He hates me. He’ll never want me in his film, and I’m not going to get this,'” Spacek reminisced. To her surprise, it was her husband who revealed the exciting news that she had secured the lead, a role that ultimately earned her an Academy Award nomination.
Collaboration with Lynne Ramsay
Spacek’s visit to Cannes was also to promote her role in Die, My Love, a film in which she portrays the mother-in-law of Jennifer Lawrence’s character, who grapples with postpartum depression. Initially hesitant to meet Ramsay due to her commitments to babysitting her grandchildren, she eventually agreed, only to face challenges in understanding the Scottish director’s accent—compounded by her own distinctive Texas drawl.
With a touch of humor, Spacek revealed, “Fortunately, her producer, Andrea [Calderwood], would explain. I’d look over and say, ‘What did she say?’ So we had a great thing going.”