Kevin Costner opened up about his new film, “Horizon: An American Saga,” being partly self-funded at a Cannes Film Festival press conference on Monday.
Costner used most of his own fortune to make the $100 million-plus film. He directs and stars in the film, which he produced and co-wrote.
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When asked about his struggle to finance the film, Costner said, “I don’t know why it was so hard.”
“You saw the movie. I don’t know why people believe in the film I wanted to make,” he continued. “You know, I don’t think my film is better than anybody else’s film, but I don’t think anybody else’s film is better than mine. I don’t go into the world with something I don’t think is good.
“Horizon” will be a four-part story, and Costner said he is currently trying to gather resources for its third installment. The second part will be released in August.
“I knocked on every boat in Cannes to help me,” Costner said. “”Oh come on, we’ll have a movie. No, get out your checkbook. Let’s talk money!”
Costner was also asked about his views on racism in America. “I have a sense of race. I live in Compton, California. I financed the movie ‘Black or White,'” he said. “It’s my version of racism in our country.”
Regarding the representation of Native people in “Horizon” and why he didn’t tell the story from their perspective, Costner said, “The movie is a journey. It’s not a plot, Native Americans are represented. I don’t feel the need to try to balance the story. I try to make it as real as I can.”
At its premiere Sunday night, “Horizon” received a seven-minute standing ovation as Costner became emotional.
The film is a two-part look at the expansion of the American West, told from the perspective of the ranchers, farmers, and soldiers who built a future for themselves in the region, and the Native Americans who lived there first.
“Horizon” opens June 28 in the U.S. with the second episode in theaters August 16. “Horizon” ensemble cast 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.
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