Kevin Costner Receives Emotional 10-Minute Standing Ovation for ‘Horizon’ at Cannes

Kevin Costner recently experienced a deeply emotional moment after his first directorial effort in 11 years received a significant accolade. The 69-year-old actor was moved to tears when his new film, ‘Horizon: An American Saga,’ garnered a 10-minute standing ovation at its premiere during the 77th annual Cannes Film Festival on 19th May.

The heartfelt response to the two-part period drama prompted Costner to dab away tears before delivering a memorable speech. He expressed his gratitude, jokingly apologized for the prolonged applause, and acknowledged the support of the actors and collaborators who stood by him.

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Costner highlighted the uniqueness of the Cannes experience, especially as his children joined him at the festival. His pride was evident as he posed on the red carpet with five of his seven children: Annie, Cayden, Grace, Lily, and Hayes, who also stars in ‘Horizon.’

Reflecting on the journey of creating the film, Costner shared his hope that audiences would share the movie with their loved ones, emphasizing the enduring impact of films beyond their opening weekends. He became emotional as he thanked the audience, considering the positive reception another miracle in his life.

‘Horizon: An American Saga,’ co-written and directed by Costner, marks his return to feature film directing since 2003’s ‘Open Range.’ The film, set to release in two chapters over the summer, chronicles the Civil War era’s expansion and settlement of the American West. Warner Bros. Pictures describes it as an exploration of the Old West’s allure and challenges, experienced through the lives of families and individuals during a transformative period in American history.

The film’s ensemble cast includes notable actors such as Sienna Miller, Sam Worthington, Jena Malone, and many others. Warner Bros. Pictures president Jeff Goldstein compared ‘Horizon’ to Costner’s acclaimed ‘Dances with Wolves,’ expressing excitement for the deeper exploration of the historical period.

Costner has spoken about the personal significance of ‘Horizon,’ describing it as the hardest but most fulfilling project of his career. He emphasized his long-standing passion for making films about the Wild West and how this project allowed him to connect with his son Hayes, who plays a pivotal role in the film.

‘Horizon: An American Saga’ Chapter One and Chapter Two are scheduled to be released in theatres on 28th June and 16th August, respectively.

– Farheen Ali