‘Horizon: An American Saga,’ a four-part period drama about the colonization of the American West, is co-written, directed, and starred by Costner.
Kevin Costner has wrapped off his first directing project in eleven years to a standing ovation.
The 69-year-old actor started to cry on Sunday, May 19, as his latest movie, Horizon: An American Saga, opened to a 10-minute standing ovation at the 77th annual Cannes Film Festival.
The actor-director wiped away a tear at the rapturous reception to the four-part historical drama and went on to make an unforgettable address, saying he will “never forget” his time at the French festival.
“I’m sorry you had to clap that long for me to understand that I should speak,” Costner teased the Cannes audience.
“Very nice folks,” he went on. “Such a good moment, not just for me, but for the actors who came with me, for people who believed in me, who continued to work.”
“It’s a funny business, and I’m so glad I found it,” he added, before adding, “There’s no place like here.”
The Yellowstone actor also mentioned how his children, who supported him throughout the festival, added to the unique experience he had at Cannes, along with the audience’s reaction and his intense enthusiasm for Horizon.
The actor was happy as he stood on the red carpet with the support of five of his seven children: Annie, 40, Cayden, 17, Grace, 13, Lily, 37, and Hayes, 15 — who co-stars in Horizon with his father. This was before he and his fellow Horizon cast members received a standing ovation.
“I’ll never forget this,” the celebrity said to the crowd, which included his children in the front row. “Not with my kids, either. Both the women and the guys look stunning and well-groomed. They have very good looks.”
Returning to his passion project, he continued, saying, “I made this.” It is no longer mine. You own it. I knew that this should end the minute it did, and that’s what happened. Opening weekends don’t seem to matter much to me in movies. They are about how many times you are willing to discuss their lives and about theirs.”
And I sincerely hope you see this film with your kids and your sweethearts. I’m quite fortunate. He remarked, “I feel so blessed— and there are three more,” to another round of applause from the crowd.
He sobbed as he said, “There was no reason that this was going to happen, and it’s just another miracle in my life.” “I sincerely appreciate you sharing your valuable time with me. I hope you found this time worthwhile. I’m grateful.
Horizon, which made its premiere at the yearly film festival in France, stars Kevin Costner, who also co-wrote and directed the picture. This is Costner’s first feature film directorial credit since 2003’s Open Range. (In the meanwhile, he starred in Let Him Go in 2020 with Diane Lane, and he also served as the show’s leader for five seasons, from 2018 to 2023.)
“A multifaceted chronicle covering the Civil War expansion and settlement of the American West,” is how the film distributor Warner Bros. Pictures describes the movie, which is slated to open in theaters as Chapter One and Chapter Two this summer.
“In the great tradition of Warner Bros. Pictures’ iconic Westerns, Horizon: An American Saga explores the lure of the Old West and how it was won — and lost — through the blood, sweat and tears of many,” it said. “Spanning the four years of the Civil War, from 1861 to 1865, Costner’s ambitious cinematic adventure will take audiences on an emotional journey across a country at war with itself, experienced through the lens of families, friends and foes all attempting to discover what it truly means to be the United States of America.”
Sam Worthington, Jena Malone, Ella Hunt, Danny Huston, Tom Payne, Abbey Lee, Michael Rooker, Will Patton, Douglas Smith, Luke Wilson, Isabelle Fuhrman, Jamie Campbell Bower, Michael Anganaro, Jeff Fahey, Tom Everett, and Giovanni Ribisi are among the large cast members of the movie, in addition to Costner.
Amos Jason Charging Cloud, Bodhi Okuma Linton, Gregory Cruz, James Russo, David O’Hara, Chris Conner, Leroy M. Silva, Bernardo Velasco, Angus Macfadyen, Jon Beavers, Alex Nibley, Kathleen Quinlan, Etienne Kellici, and Georgia MacPhail, Alejandro Edda, Wasé Winyan Chief, Angus Macfadyen, round out the cast.
“We believe Kevin only scratched the surface of that period, and we are thrilled to see him present an even deeper, more expansive view with these powerhouse stories,” Warner Bros. Pictures president Jeff Goldstein said in a statement, drawing a comparison between the Western epic and 1990’s Dances with Wolves, which won Costner two Academy Awards for Best Picture and Best Director.
Regarding Costner, he gave PEOPLE an explanation of why the impending movie is very significant to him in November 2022. “I find immense significance in Horizon. Though it’s precisely what I want to accomplish, it’s been the toughest thing I’ve ever done,” he remarked.
“I wrapped this first one, and it took everything I had, but I’m holding on to the rope and not letting go,” the actor-director continued. In my work, I’ve made an effort to make decisions independent of trends. I produced the movies that I want to.”
Regarding his lifelong passion for filming the Wild West and that specific period of American history, Costner added, “We often compare ourselves to previous generations. I consider what was on the line. How did humans make it through? It has a certain rawness and unpredictable quality. That’s haunting me.”
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For Costner, who spoke up to PEOPLE about his son Hayes making an appearance on screen, the film was a family affair, much like the Cannes red carpet. The pleased father remarked, “He’s very good.” “In the film, Hayes portrays the character that bears my name. The screenplay has been around for longer than he is, at thirteen years old.”
Casting Hayes, according to Costner, was an excuse for the two to spend more time together. Costner is also the father of son Cayden and daughter Grace with ex-wife Christine Baumgartner, as well as daughters Annie and Lily and sons Joe and Liam from earlier relationships.
“I kind of did it on purpose, so he could be hanging out with me,” added Costner. “And the same holds true for Grace and Cayden. Like many parents, I’m trying to figure out what the heck this is. I should bring you along.
Horizon: An American Epic On June 28 and August 16, respectively, Chapters One and Two will be released in cinemas.
