2024-08-18 10:06:35
Kevin Costner’s new film will be released in cinemas on August 22nd. In an interview with t-online, the actor reveals why “Horizon” is a true passion project.
It takes around an hour for Kevin Costner to appear on the screen in his new film. “Horizon” only really picks up speed when the Hollywood star gets involved. It seems as if the role of the cowboy was tailor-made for him. No wonder, since the 69-year-old has often sat on the back of a horse in projects such as the cinema classic “Dances with Wolves” and the hit series “Yellowstone”.
In “Horizon,” Kevin Costner not only takes on the lead role of Hayes Ellison, but is also responsible for the film as producer, director and screenplay co-writer. He also invested 100 million US dollars (around 91 million euros) of his personal fortune in the four-part Western saga.
The first chapter looks back to the year 1861. The forerunners of the American Civil War are shaking southern North America. White pioneers occupy the Apache territories, who violently defend themselves against the appropriation. In an interview with t-online, Kevin Costner explains why he is fascinated by this era of American history, what his 15-year-old son Hayes has to do with it, and what emotions he has regarding the US election.
t-online: Mr. Costner, you developed the concept for “Horizon” back in the 1980s. How does it feel now, after all this time, to present the film to an international audience?
Kevin Costner: I feel a certain sense of relief. I’m glad that I was able to make the film the way I imagined it all these years. I’m very happy with the result. The film makes me really proud. I hope that audiences like it too – not just in America, where the film is set, but all over the world.
“Horizon” looks back at a pretty brutal part of American history. What similarities do you see with today’s society?
In the West, there were no laws regulating life. This is of course a clear difference from today’s society. Nevertheless, the mood was the same then as it is today: we have a country that feels divided. In 19th century America, people went to war because of this division. They were basically fighting for the same things as today.
The idea of the film was therefore to return to the roots of the founding of America. America was supposed to be a place of prosperity where everyone had equal opportunities. Back then, during the Civil War, African Americans did not have the right to vote. Women did not have the right to vote. The indigenous population, who had lived there for 50,000 years, did not have the right to vote. All people who did not own property did not have the right to vote. America is therefore a young country that has already been confronted with a wide variety of problems throughout its history. “Horizon” takes up these events. It is not a story like the one Disneyland writes. It is a story that reflects reality.
As brutal as this part of American history was, is there anything you think we can learn from this chapter?
I think the most important thing is that we need to open our eyes. We know better. We know what happens when people want to get into power only because of their ego. People who want to rule only because of their reputation – not to protect the population. We don’t need a leader who tries to take over other countries. History has taught us that this does not lead to positive results. It is much better to live together with other countries and other cultures. For the world to really succeed, one thing is important above all: there must be more harmony. There must be an acceptance of others, an acceptance of boundaries. The same country that someone is trying to occupy could be a wonderful neighbor from whom we can learn a lot.