‘Come take out your checkbook. Let’s talk money! »

Kevin Costner came clean about partially self-financing his new film, “Horizon: An American Saga,” during a press conference at the Cannes Film Festival on Monday.

Costner invested much of his own fortune in making the more than $100 million film, including mortgaging his ranch. He directs and stars in the film, which he also produced and co-wrote.

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Asked about his struggle to finance the film, Costner replied, “I don’t know why it was so difficult.”

“You saw the movie. I don’t know why it was so hard to make people believe in the movie I wanted to make,” he continued. “You know, I don’t think my movie is better than anyone else’s, but I don’t think anyone else’s movie is better than mine. I don’t go out into the world with something I don’t think is good.

“Horizon” is meant to be a four-part saga, and Costner said he is currently trying to gather resources for his third installment. The second part is expected to be released in August.

“I knocked on every boat in Cannes for help,” Costner said. “‘Oh come on, we’ll have a photo.’ No, come get your checkbook. Let’s talk money! »

Costner was also asked for his views on racism in America. “I’m race conscious. I live in a place called Compton, California. I financed a film called ‘Black or White,’” he said. “That was my version of the level of racism that existed in our country.”

Regarding the depiction of indigenous people in “Horizon” and why it didn’t tell the story from their point of view, Costner said: “The film is a journey. This is not a plot film and Native Americans are represented. I don’t feel the need to try to balance the story. I just try to make it as real as possible.

At its Sunday night premiere, “Horizon” received a seven-minute standing ovation as Costner became visibly emotional.

The film, a two-part look at the expansion of the American West, is told from the perspectives of the cattle ranchers, farmers and soldiers who made a future for themselves in the region, as well as the native people who lived there. lived first.

“Horizon” opens on June 28 in the United States, and the second chapter will be released in theaters on August 16. The cast of “Horizon” includes Sienna Miller, Sam Worthington, Giovanni Ribisi, Jena Malone, Abbey Lee, Michael Rooker, Danny Huston. , Luke Wilson, Isabelle Fuhrman, Tatanka Means, Owen Crow Shoe, Jamie Campbell Bower and Thomas Haden Church.

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