The first true test of Kevin Costner’s Horizon: An American Saga, a multi-chapter epic Western film, is being put the test at the 77th annual Cannes Film Festival.
And if the rousing 10-minute standing ovation from the audience following the premiere screening is any indication, this could be another big hit for the filmmaker, who not only plays the lead role but also serves as director, producer and co-writer with Job Baird.
Being that he self-financed the passion project, this was a special and emotional moment for Costner, who got teary-eyed during the long applause moments after the credits fell.
He dabbed away a tear or two, while looking handsome in a black tuxedo and bowtie, before he addressing the enthusiastic Cannes crowd, revealing how he will ‘never forget’ this experience.
‘I’m sorry you had to clap that long for me to understand that I should speak,’ he joked, as reported by People, before adding, ‘Such good people. Such a good moment, not just for me, but for the actors who came with me, for the people who believed in me, who continued to work.’
Kevin Costner, 69, got teary-eyed during a 10-minute standing ovation following the premiere screening of his new epic Western, multi-part film, Horizon: An American Saga
The acclaimed actor and director was visibly moved to happy tears as the audience continued to clap and cheer for the work he did with Horizon
Still soaking in the moment of gratification after all the hard work he and his cast and crew put in to the first of two parts of Horizon that will be released this year, the longtime Hollywood leading man was visibly moved.
At one point, he turned to his left and began blowing kisses towards people who were all still standing and cheering with appreciation.
‘It’s a funny business, and I’m so glad I found it,’ Costner, 69, said with obvious emotion to his voice. ‘There’s no place like here.’
The moments was made extra special by having five of his seven children by his side at the festival and screening.
In fact, he not only posed for the cameras with some of the cast and crew of Horizon during the red carpet portion of the event, but also with his kids: Annie, 40, Cayden, 17, Grace, 13, Lily, 37, and Hayes, 15, who has a small role in film.
They all ended up sitting next to their dad, all decked out in their high-fashion ensembles, during the premiere screening.
Along with Costner, the star-studded ensemble cast also features Sienna Miller, Sam Worthington, Jena Malone, Giovanni Ribisi, 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 Thomas Haden Church.
The cast is also rounded out by the likes of Tatanka Means, Tim Guinee, Colin Cunningham, Scott Haze, Georgia MacPhail, Alejandro Edda, Wasé Winyan Chief, Angus Macfadyen, Jon Beavers, Alex Nibley, Kathleen Quinlan, Etienne Kellici, Amos Jason Charging Cloud, Bodhi Okuma Linton, Gregory Cruz, James Russo, David O’Hara, Chris Conner, Leroy M. Silva, Bernardo Velasco and Glynn Turman.
The actor and director dabbed away a tear or two, while looking handsome in a black tuxedo and bowtie, before he addressing the enthusiastic Cannes crowd, revealing how he will ‘never forget’ this experience
The standing ovation for Horizon and Costner went on for 10-minutes with rousing cheers
‘It’s a funny business, and I’m so glad I found it,’ Costner said with obvious emotion to his voice. ‘There’s no place like here’
‘I made this. It’s not mine anymore. It’s yours. I knew that the minute this was over and that’s what it should be,’ Costner told the audience. ‘I think movies aren’t about their opening weekends. They’re about their life and about how many times you’re willing to share it.’
After sharing how he feels ‘lucky’ and ‘blessed’ to be able to receive such accolades for work he’s so passionate about, the filmmaker was overcome with gratitude.
‘There was no reason that this was gonna happen, and it’s just another miracle in my life,’ he said, while becoming choked up. ‘Thank you so much for giving me your precious time. I hope that this time was worth it for you. Thank you.’
This is actually only the fourth time Costner has directed a film, which also includes following Dances With Wolves (1990), The Postman (1990) and Open Range (2003).
The Lynwood, California native also soaked in the moment on the red carpet ahead of the premiere screening of his new Western film
The acclaimed actor and director got to share the experience of the red carpet and screening with five of his seven children: Lily, 37, Grace, 13, Cayden, 17, Hayes, 15 and Annie, 40
At one point, Costner greeted the fans who were lined up along a barrier near the red carpet
The acclaimed filmmaker also posed with some of cast and crew of Horizon such as Ella Hunt, Hayes Costner, Jena Malone, Sienna Miller, Abbey Lee Kershaw, Luke Wilson, Wasé Chief, Isabelle Fuhrman, Georgia MacPhail, and Alejandro Edda
Coster waved one last time in front of the sea of photographers before going inside for the premiere screening of Horizon
For his work on the classic epic Western Dances With Wolves, which was also set around the Civil War, Costner won Best Picture and Best Director out of its seven wins of 12 nominations at the 63rd Academy Awards in 1991.
Costner has had a long love for the Wild West and American history, and he’s been able to bring that passion to life in a manner through film on a number of occasions.
‘A lot of times we measure ourselves against other generations. I think about what was at stake. How did people survive? There’s a rawness and an unpredictability about it. I’m haunted by that,’ he explained to People in November 2022.
He went on to explain just how difficult it was to make Horizon, but at the same time confessed it’s exactly what he should be doing at the moment.
‘Horizon is incredibly meaningful to me,’ he said. ‘It’s really been the hardest thing I’ve ever done, but it’s exactly what I want to do.’
Horizon: An American Saga was initially shot in two chapters, but Costner had previously revealed that he plans on making four
Not only is Costner the director, producer and co-writer, he is plays the lead role of Hayes Ellison during the American Civil War and the expansion of the American west
Sienna Miller is among thee star-studded ensemble cast that also includes Sam Worthington, Giovanni Ribisi, Jena Malone, Abbey Lee, Michael Rooker, Danny Huston, Luke Wilson, Isabelle Fuhrman, Jeff Fahey, Will Patton, Tatanka Means, Owen Crow Shoe, Ella Hunt, Jamie Campbell Bower and Thomas Haden Church, among many others
Horizon: An American Saga Chapter One is set to premiere in theaters on June 28, and then Chapter Two will follow and debut on August 16
‘A lot of times we measure ourselves against other generations. I think about what was at stake. How did people survive? There’s a rawness and an unpredictability about it. I’m haunted by that,’ the filmmaker said of his passion for the Wild West and American history to People
So far, there’s no official word on when the other chapters will premiere in theaters
Horizon: An American Saga Chapter One is set to premiere in theaters on June 28, and then Chapter Two will follow and debut on August 16.
Costner previously revealed in June 2022 that he planned on making four Horizon films in all, shot back-to-back.
Most recently, the second film finished production last summer, but then production on the third film was paused due to the 2023 SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes.
So far, there’s no official word on when the other chapters will premiere in theaters.
