Kevin Costner Says Being from Compton Makes Diversity in Films Important to Him: 'I'm Conscious of Race'

Kevin Costner explains he was “race conscious” as he tackled diversity in his new western Horizon: An American Saga.

During a press conference at the Cannes Film Festival on May 20, the actor and director explained: “I was living in a place called Compton, California. I financed a film called Black or white; it was my version of the level of racism that exists in our country, Compton and Beverly Hills.”

He added: “I can’t [check] every box every time I try to make a film, but I’m absolutely aware of what’s at stake in trying to represent people.”

“I probably fail and succeed every step of the way, but my goal is true,” Costner, 69, said.

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Enter Kevin Costner Horizon: An American Saga (2024).

Pictures by Warner Bros

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During the press conference, Costner was also asked about the representation of Native Americans in the Horizonspecifically, whether audiences will see “more of their perspective” in subsequent films “instead of them being more of an antagonistic presence in the story.”

Costner responded in part that Native Americans “become very, very dominant” in the upcoming installments of the multi-part saga.

“The film is a journey – it’s not a film with a plot, and Native Americans are represented,” the two-time Oscar winner continued. – I don’t feel the need to try to balance the story.

He added moments later, after talking about the parallels with the 1990s Dances with Wolves“I couldn’t, like, be the person who sets the record for Native Americans or African-Americans or whoever. I’m just trying to make it as real as possible.”

Kevin Costner at the Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France on May 17, 2024.

Jacopo Raule/WireImage

Kevin Costner broke down in tears with a 10-minute standing ovation for Passion Project Horizon in Cannes: ‘I’ll Never Forget This’

Costner wrote, directed and stars Horizonwhich had its world premiere in Cannes on May 19. The film received a 10-minute standing ovation after its premiere at the festival.

While talking to GQ about the project, Costner recalled his decades-long journey to bring it to fruition and revealed that he has spent roughly $38 million of his own money to make the series so far.

“That’s the message I want my kids to get about who I am: to do what I believe in,” he told the outlet, taking the financial risk. “I have fear like everyone else. I don’t want to be humiliated.”

Although the fact that Costner took out a mortgage on the family home in Santa Barbara, California to help finance the first two films in the series made headlines, Field of dreams the actor noted that he did not risk the situation of his children’s permanent life.

“I mean, it’s okay, I might lose it. But it’s: Am I lost?” he added.

Horizon: An American Saga, Chapter 1 then it’s in theaters on June 28 2. Chapter comes out on August 16.

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Source: HIS Education