MOVIE NEWS – Kevin Costner fought back tears as he addressed the Cannes crowd after the standing ovation was almost as epic as his new film Horizon…

Kevin Costner’s western epic Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter One premiered on Sunday at the Cannes Film Festival. All of this led to Costner tearfully apologizing to the audience for taking so long to applaud.

After the premiere, the film received ecstatic reactions from the audience, the standing ovation lasted more than 11 minutes, and the actor/director responded with a humble expression of thanks for both the audience’s appreciation and the creative team behind the film.

Horizon Chapter One is one of four films comprising Costner’s unprecedented cinematic venture. The three-hour film presents the expansion of the American West, both from the point of view of the settlers and the Native Americans. The film is deeply personal for Costner. The acting legend took out a mortgage on his farm to finance the over 100 million dollar movie! In addition to Costner, who co-wrote, directed, produced and starred in the film, the cast also includes Sienna Miller, Sam Worthington, Giovanni Ribisi, Jena Malone, Abbey Lee, Michael Rooker, Danny Huston, Luke Wilson, Isabelle Fuhrman, Tatanka Means, Owen Crow Shoe, Jamie Campbell Bower and Thomas Haden Church.

Costner was visibly moved by the reaction of the Cannes audience at the Grand Theater Lumiere. After the applause finally died down, Costner humorously shared his gratitude for the reaction:

“I’m sorry you had to clap that long for me to understand that I should speak. Such good people. 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. There’s no place like here. I made this [movie] … it’s not mine anymore; this is yours, and I knew that the minute it was over. There’s no place like here. I’ll never forget this—neither will my children.”

Kevin Costner shared his gratitude for the reception at Cannes

While many of the films debuting at the Cannes Film Festival receive significant applause when the cast list is run down, Horizont’s ovation is on the longer end of the scale. That’s what Costner shared his gratitude for with those in attendance, noting that movies aren’t made to be judged by their opening weekend. He continued:

“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. 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. And I hope that you do share this movie with your sweethearts, with your children.”

“I feel so lucky. I feel so blessed — and there are three more. There was no reason that this was gonna happen, and it’s just another miracle in my life. Thank you so much for giving me your precious time. I hope that this time was worth it for you. Thank you.”

Costner is no stranger to bringing the Western genre to the cinema audience, having previously achieved success with films such as Dances with Wolves and Open Range.

In recent years, until his controversial departure, the actor played a key role in the success of Taylor Sheridan’s TV series Yellowstone. While he may not continue down that particular path, Costner’s vision is now clearly set on the future of Horizon.

Source: X

Kevin Costner and his star cast take in the sustained applause and standing ovation after premiere of ‘Horizon’ #Cannes2024 pic.twitter.com/p6KAqSnv1L

— Deadline Hollywood (@DEADLINE) May 19, 2024