Kevin Costner Moved to Tears by 10-Minute Standing Ovation for Passion Project Horizon in Cannes: 'I’ll Never Forget This'

Kevin Costner just received a standing ovation for his first directorial effort in 11 years.

The 69-year-old actor became emotional after the new movie, Horizon: An American Sagareceived a 10-minute standing ovation after its premiere at the 77th annual Cannes Film Festival on Sunday, May 19.

After an enthusiastic response to the four-part drama, the actor-director wiped away a tear before giving an unforgettable speech — and revealed he will “never forget” his experience at the French festival.

Kevin Costner has a tense situation in the new trailer for Horizon: An American Saga

Addressing the Cannes crowd, Costner joked: “I’m sorry it took you so long to clap for me to realize I should speak.”

Kevin Costner (center) with the cast of ‘Horizon: An American Saga’ on the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival on May 18, 2024.

Max Cisotti/Dave Bennett/Getty

“Such good people,” he continued. “Such a good moment, not only for me, but also for the actors who came with me, for the people who believed in me, who continued to work.”

“It’s a funny job and I’m so glad I found it,” he said, adding, “There’s no place like it.”

The Yellowstone star also shared that his Cannes experience was extra special not just because of the audience’s reaction and his passion for Horizonbut also his kids who stood by him at the festival.

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Before him and his Horizon to a standing ovation from his colleagues, the star was already beaming as he posed on the red carpet with the support of five of his seven children: Annie, 40, Cayden, 17, Grace, 13, Lily, 37, and Hayes, 15 — who stars in Horizon with his father.

“I will never forget this,” the star told the audience, whose children were in the front row. “Nor with my children. They all look so beautiful, so beautifully dressed, women, men. They are so handsome.”

Kevin Costner poses with his children Cayden Wyatt Costner, Lily Costner, Grace Avery Costner, Hayes Costner and Annie Costner at the Cannes Film Festival on May 19, 2024.

CHRISTOPHE SIMON/AFP via Getty

Then, returning to his passion project, he said, “I made this. It’s not mine anymore. It’s yours. I knew it was over as soon as it was over and that’s the way it should be. I don’t think movies are about opening weekends. They they talk about your life and how many times you are willing to share it.”

“And I hope you share this film with your loved ones, with your children. I feel so lucky. I feel so blessed – and there are three more,” he said, as the audience cheered once more.

“There was no reason for this to happen and it’s just another miracle in my life,” he added, choking up. “Thank you so much for giving me your precious time. I hope this time was worth it. Thank you.”

Kevin Costner’s next movie: Everything you need to know about it Horizon: An American Saga

Debuting at the annual film event in France, Horizon not only stars, but Costner also wrote and directed it, marking the Oscar winner’s return to directing feature films since 2003. Open area. (Meanwhile, his last major film role was opposite Diane Lane in the 2020s Let him gowhile he also hosted TV Yellowstone for five seasons, from 2018 to 2023)

It will be released in theaters as First chapter and The second chapter over the summer, the film was described as a “multifaceted chronicle covering the Civil War, expansion, and settlement of the American West,” according to a synopsis by the film’s distributor Warner Bros. Pictures.

“In the grand tradition of Warner Bros. Pictures’ iconic westerns, Horizon: An American Saga explores the allure of the Old West and how it was won — and lost — through the blood, sweat and tears of many,” the studio added. “Spanning the four years of the Civil War, from 1861 to 1865, Costner’s ambitious cinematic adventure will take audiences on an emotional journey through a country at war with itself, experienced through the lens of family, friends and enemies trying to discover what it really means to be the United States of America.”

Horizon: An American Saga.

Pictures by Warner Bros

In addition to Costner, the film’s huge cast includes Sienna Miller, Sam Worthington, Jena Malone, 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 Giovanni Ribisi.

The cast also includes 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.

Comparing the western saga to the 1990s Dances with Wolveswhich brought Costner two Oscars for best picture and best director, the president of Warner Bros. Pictures’ Jeff Goldstein said in a statement, “We believe Kevin has only scratched the surface of this period, and we’re thrilled to see him present an even deeper, broader view with these powerful stories.”

Kevin Costner reveals 13-year-old son Hayes will appear in his epic western ‘Horizon’: ‘He’s really good’

As for Costner, he explained to PEOPLE in November 2022 why the upcoming film is especially important to him. “Horizon it means so much to me. It was really the hardest thing I’ve ever done, but it’s exactly what I want to do,” he said.

The actor-director added: “I wrapped this first one and it took everything I had, but I’m holding on to the rope and not letting go. In my career, I’ve tried to choose not based on what was popular. I’ve made films that I wished.”

And when it comes to his longtime interest in making movies about the Wild West — and that particular period in American history — Costner said, “A lot of times we compare ourselves to other generations. I think about what was at stake. How did people survive? it’s rawness and unpredictability that haunts me.”

Kevin Costner in ‘Horizon: American Saga’.

Warner Bros. Pictures/YouTube

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Like the Cannes red carpet, the film was also a family affair for Costner, who told PEOPLE about his son Hayes’ onscreen appearance. – He is very good – said the proud father. “Hayes plays the eponymous character that I actually play in the movie. He’s 13 years old and the script has been around longer than that.”

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Costner – who is also father to son Cayden and daughter Grace with ex-wife Christine Baumgartner, and has daughters Annie and Lily and sons Joe and Liam from previous relationships – said casting Hayes was an excuse for the two to spend more time together .

“I did it on purpose, so he could hang out with me,” Costner said. “Same thing for Cayden, same thing for Grace. I’m like any other parent, I’m trying to figure out, like, ‘This is really cool. You should come be with me.’ ”

Horizon: An American Saga, Chapter One and The second chapter will be released in theaters on June 28 and August 16, respectively.

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