An Emotional Kevin Costner Apologizes to Cannes Audience After Horizon Premiere’s Epic Standing Ovation

Kevin Costner’s Western epic Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter One premiered at the Cannes Film Festival on Sunday, and led to a teary Costner apologizing to the audience for them having to applaud for so long. The movie received a rapturous reaction from the room following its premiere, with its standing ovation lasting over 11 minutes, and the actor/director responding with a humbled show of thanks for both the audience’s appreciation of the film and the creative team behind it.

Horizon’s first chapter is one of four movies that will make up Costner’s unprecedented theatrical venture. This three-hour movie explores the expansion of the American West, portraying the perspectives of both the settlers and the Native Americans. The film is deeply personal for Costner, who mortgaged his ranch to finance the $100 million-plus film. As well as Costner, who co-wrote, directed, produced and stars in the film, the ensemble 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.

Horizon

Release Date

June 28, 2024

Studio

New Line Cinema, Territory Pictures Entertainment, Warner Bros.

Costner was visibly moved by the response from the Cannes audience in the Grand Theatre Lumiere. Speaking after the applause finally settled, Costner shared his gratitude for the reaction, humorously saying:

“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.”

Related

Exclusive: Isabelle Fuhrman Talks Working with ‘Class Act’ Kevin Costner on Horizon: An American Saga

Isabelle Fuhrman says she’s having a “blast” filming Kevin Costner’s epic Western, Horizon: An American Saga.

Kevin Costner Shared His Thanks For Cannes’ Reception

While many movies that debut at the Cannes Film Festival receive a substantial amount of applause as the credits roll, Horizon’s ovation is at the longer end of the scale. This is something that led to Costner sharing his thanks to those present, as he noted that movies are not made to be judged on their opening weekends. 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’s 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 cinema audiences, having previously found success with Dances With Wolves and Open Range, among others. In recent years, until his controversial departure, the actor has been a pivotal part of the success of Taylor Sheridan’s TV series Yellowstone. While he may not be continuing that particular journey, Costner’s vision is now clearly focused on Horizon’s future.