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Actor and Oscar-winning director Kevin Costner returns to the American West, both in front of and behind the camera, with 'Horizon: An American Saga.'

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Kevin Costner 06262024

Gretchen Fullido

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1719374666379Kevin-Costner-06262024.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Kevin Costner in &#x27;Horizon: An American Saga. Parallax Studios/Saga Film Studios/Axinite Digicinema"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left"><span id="isPasted" style="outline:none !important;color:rgb(0, 0, 0);background-color:transparent;vertical-align:baseline">Kevin Costner in &#x27;</span><span style="outline:none !important;color:rgb(0, 0, 0);background-color:transparent;vertical-align:baseline">Horizon: An American Saga. </span><span style="outline:none !important;color:rgb(0, 0, 0);background-color:transparent;vertical-align:baseline"><em>Parallax Studios/Saga Film Studios/Axinite Digicinema</em></span></span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>Actor and Oscar-winning director Kevin Costner returns to the American West, both in front of and behind the camera, with &quot;Horizon: An American Saga.&quot; </p><p>This ambitious project, spanning four interconnected films, explores the tumultuous and transformative period of American history when European settlers ventured into the vast, untamed lands of the West. </p><p>Costner, known for his iconic roles in &quot;Dances with Wolves&quot; and &quot;Wyatt Earp,&quot; once again delves into the complex narratives of cultural collision and survival.</p><p>The actor-director said he believes and is so passionate about the project that he self-funded much of the cost, which amounted to roughly $38 million. That’s how much Costner said he spent of his own money to produce the “Horizon” film series, making it a big financial gamble for the actor. Costner shared that he even mortgaged a property and deferred his own salary from the “Horizon” movies to pay for the film’s production.</p><div><strong>Journey through America’s early days</strong></div><p>&quot;Horizon&quot; is not merely a plot-driven movie but a deep, narrative journey through the early days of American settlement. Costner emphasizes the youth of America compared to other parts of the world and reflects on the promise and peril faced by those who dared to cross the Atlantic.</p><p>&quot;If you think about America, it’s really not that old in comparison to the rest of the world,&quot; Costner muses. &quot;We started to get news about America about 400 years ago... It was like, I refer to it as the Garden of Eden. And what they didn’t realize, there was a people here who had been flourishing for 15,000 years.&quot;</p><p>This perspective shapes &quot;Horizon,&quot; weaving a tapestry of stories from both the settlers and the Indigenous peoples who faced the upheaval of their way of life.</p><p>Costner&#x27;s commitment to authenticity and storytelling is unwavering. He speaks passionately about his approach: &quot;When I do a story, I don’t wanna stop ‘til it’s finished. And when I look at it, I try to understand what it was. And it was really a journey... My idea was not to wait to see if the first one was successful.&quot;</p><p>This determination to tell a complete and honest story is evident in every frame of &quot;Horizon.&quot;</p><div><strong>Women at the heart of the story</strong></div><p>In a genre often dominated by male narratives, Costner brings a refreshing focus on the contributions and struggles of women in the West. Bringing his daughters to Cannes was a symbolic gesture to highlight the vital roles women play in &quot;Horizon.&quot;</p><p>&quot;Usually, they’re not identified with [Westerns]. And in this instance, not only do our storylines run right through my women, the story is not possible without them,&quot; Costner explains.</p><p>Sienna Miller, one of the film&#x27;s stars, echoes this sentiment: &quot;To tell a story about the kind of inception of America as we know it today that doesn’t include women is really disingenuous... Kevin crafted these incredible characters and follows their contribution, not only to the settlement of America, but also their personal internal struggles.&quot;</p><p>Central to &quot;Horizon&quot; is the respectful and accurate portrayal of Indigenous cultures. Costner and his team went to great lengths to learn and incorporate the White Mountain Apache language, ensuring authenticity.</p><p>Wasé Winyan Chief, who plays a significant role, shares: &quot;Kevin made sure that we were gonna learn the real White Mountain Apache language... It was a lot of pressure making sure that we’re representing our people in a good way.&quot;</p><p>Tatanka Means adds: &quot;We want to hear our language spoken correctly and not butchered... It brings pride to us. And not only to the Apache people, but to all the Indigenous Native people, you know, in North America.&quot;</p><div><strong>Dual role</strong></div><p>Costner&#x27;s dual role as director and actor presented unique challenges and opportunities. Abbey Lee, who shares many scenes with him, observed, &quot;What I found quite fascinating is that he felt to me like a very different man as a director and an actor. As a director, he’s really passionate and he has a lot of energy... He just has so much energy and he keeps the morale going every day.&quot;</p><p>&quot;Horizon&quot; was an intense, grueling shoot, completed in a remarkable 52 days. Costner praises his cast for their dedication under difficult conditions, highlighting Miller&#x27;s leadership and resilience. &quot;These actors never shrunk. They have great instruments. They’re very specific people. Moments out there weren’t perfect for them... but they never wilted. And it started with Sienna.&quot;</p><p>The film&#x27;s authenticity extends to the physical challenges faced by the cast, with Michael Rooker humorously recounting the discomfort of wearing heavy wool costumes in sweltering heat, which helped them connect with the historical experiences of their characters. &quot;It&#x27;s almost a quarter inch of wool that we&#x27;re wearing, my friends. It was the most God-awful feeling. But it really sets the mood,&quot; says Rooker.</p><p>Costner does not shy away from the darker aspects of America&#x27;s history. He acknowledges the chaos and conflict brought upon indigenous peoples by European settlers.</p><p>&quot;You can’t have the Western story unless you have the First People’s story,&quot; he states. &quot;We threw their way of life into chaos. And they’ve never recovered in their own way... I’m not looking to reinvent history or set the record straight, but I can’t make a movie on the American West unless the Indigenous are involved.&quot;</p><p>Rooker adds, &quot;Such a beautiful director. Very caring and understanding. And I love the way he will give you direction. The direction is vital, you know, and when you’re talking before the scene, setting it up, really gets to me.&quot;</p><p>Luke Wilson, reflecting on the arduous journey of the pioneers, remarks, &quot;It certainly gave me more respect than I already had, which I had a good deal of for the people that did live in those times. But you know, I&#x27;m from Texas, and whenever I&#x27;ve flown back and forth between Texas and California, I always kinda look out the window and think, &#x27;Okay. How did people make it across there? If I got put down right there, could I make it out on my own?&#x27;&quot;</p><p>Miller, who read diaries of women on the Oregon Trail to prepare for her role, shares, &quot;I don&#x27;t think anyone anticipated quite how dangerous it would be. I don&#x27;t think they really knew what they were getting into... And obviously once you set out on that journey, and you finally arrive, months and months of traveling with children and livestock, there&#x27;s no turning back.&quot;</p><div><strong>Legacy of &#x27;Horizon&#x27;</strong></div><p>Ultimately, &quot;Horizon&quot; is a testament to the resilience and resourcefulness of both the settlers and the Indigenous peoples. Costner encapsulates the essence of the film, saying, &quot;It starts with a town, always a town, and we forget that the people that were there first, that when a stake went in the ground, and the first image that we have in Horizon is a stake going in the ground, and out come the ants. And it was a metaphor, again, for the chaos that we started.&quot;</p><p>Costner&#x27;s vision for &quot;Horizon&quot; is not just about recounting history but about capturing the essence of human endurance and the eternal quest for a better life.</p><p>&quot;But I know one thing. I can&#x27;t get actors unless I have great parts. And actors have a vanity. They want to live forever. And there&#x27;s only one way you do that. You&#x27;re in a movie that can hold up that idea. Movies can live forever.&quot;</p><p>As the film reaches audiences worldwide, Costner reflects on the collaborative effort that brought &quot;Horizon&quot; to life. &quot;You know, actors are out in front, and we get so much credit. But we all know in our hearts how many people stand behind us and wait for us to hit our marks, and to find that magic, and for the music to play.&quot;</p><p>&quot;Horizon&quot; is not just a film; it is an experience, an exploration, and a homage to the indomitable spirit of those who came before us.</p><p>Costner concludes, &quot;I&#x27;m so happy this happened. It&#x27;s been a long journey for me. And I&#x27;m grateful that it&#x27;s happened and it&#x27;s not our movie anymore. It&#x27;s your movie. And it&#x27;s the greatest thing about movies is you get to revisit them.&quot;</p><p>With &quot;Horizon,&quot; Costner has crafted a cinematic epic that promises to stand the test of time, offering audiences a poignant and powerful glimpse into the heart of America&#x27;s frontier history. </p><div><br/></div><div><em>Chapter 1 of “Horizon: An American Saga” is showing in Philippine cinemas on June 28, and Chapter 2 on August 16. </em></div><div><br/></div><div><br/></div>

<p>Actor and Oscar-winning director Kevin Costner returns to the American West, both in front of and behind the camera, with 'Horizon: An American Saga.'</p>

After 20 years, Kevin Costner makes directorial comeback with 'Horizon'

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After 20 years, Kevin Costner makes directorial comeback with 'Horizon'

Gretchen Fullido,

ABS-CBN News

Published Jun 26, 2024 12:04 PM PHT

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