Kevin Costner returns to the director’s chair with “Horizon: An American Saga,” a four-part epic Western featuring a star-studded cast including Costner himself, Sienna Miller, Sam Worthington, Giovanni Ribisi, Jena Malone, Jamie Campbell Bower, and Luke Wilson. Distributed in the Philippines by Parallax Studios and Saga Films Studios, “Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1” will premiere simultaneously with its global release on June 28, 2024. The eagerly anticipated Chapter 2 is slated for release in August 2024.
A Legendary Return to the Western Genre
Kevin Costner, no stranger to the Western genre, made his directorial debut with the acclaimed 1990 film “Dances with Wolves,” which earned him Best Picture and Best Director Academy Awards. Since 2018, he has also starred in the popular neo-Western drama series “Yellowstone,” which has inspired several prequels and spinoffs.
Standing Ovation at Cannes
“Horizon: An American Saga” is a passion project for Costner, who also co-wrote the films. The actor-director reportedly invested $38 million of his own money into the sweeping saga, a project he has been developing for over 30 years. The first two chapters, scheduled for release this year, cost $100 million to produce.
At the recent Cannes Film Festival, the first chapter received a seven-minute standing ovation. Costner, visibly moved, expressed his gratitude: “Such good people. Such a good moment, not just for me, but for the actors that 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’ll never forget this — neither will my children.”
An Epic Tale of the Old West
“Horizon: An American Saga” delves into the lure of the Old West and the trials and tribulations faced by those who lived through it. Spanning the years of the American Civil War from 1861 to 1865, Costner’s ambitious cinematic adventure promises to take audiences on an emotional journey through a country at war with itself.
According to movie website Next Best Picture, “In Western epics, there are incredible opportunities to explore engaging worlds while showcasing impressive visual artistry within the genre. However, no matter what, you can always count on folks like Kevin Costner to remind audiences of the power these films can still have in today’s age. It’s impossible not to feel that passion with ‘Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1’ as so much is packed into this nod to the epics of yesteryear. There’s a lot thrown at the screen that still manages to result in an engrossing experience.”
The Magic of Cinema
At the film’s press conference at Cannes, Costner spoke about the financial challenges he faced while making the epic saga. “I believe that when these lights go out and we’re in a movie theater, something magical can happen. Part of why I wanted to make one, two, three and four was to make it for myself because I know what it’s like to sit out there in the audience and the curtain opens and something magical is going to happen, and a story is going to transport us. The movies have always been a place for us to go have a chance at magic. Something that we’ll never ever forget.”
He humorously added, “To make the third one, I’ve knocked on every billionaire’s boat in Cannes to help me. They go, ‘Oh come, I want to have a picture.’ I say, ‘No, get your checkbook out. Let’s talk money,’” Costner laughed.
When asked about wearing multiple hats for this project, Costner said, “I’d like to think that I got to this place [in my life] because I like the work. I like the dreaming part. I like the late nights, directing and editing and writing – I like that part of it the best.”
Get Ready for an Epic Journey
Prepare to be swept away by the first chapter of “Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1” distributed in the Philippines by Parallax Studios and Saga Film Studios with Axinite Digicinema, opening in cinemas on June 28, 2024.
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Photo Credit: Parallax Studios and Saga Film Studios
