Dream HorsestarToni Colletteand directorEuros Lynstopped by the Kia Telluride Supper Suite in Park City, where Collider spoke with the duo about their new inspirational drama about a racehorse who brings a community together.
Dream Horsetells the true story ofJan Vokes(Collette), a hard-working woman living in a small village in Wales who has a dream of owning a racehorse. No one thinks she can pull it off, but in time, she persuades her friends and neighbors in the community – including an accountant played byBillionsstarDamian Lewis– to chip in a little bit of money each week to buy a foal, who they raise to become an incredible champion.
The film will hit theaters later this year courtesy of Bleecker Street, but it had its world premiere in Salt Lake City last week, and according to its leading lady, “it couldn’t have gone better. I was blown away, and it was very emotional,” said Collette.
The film arrives at a dark time in the world, which is reeling fromKobe Bryant’s death, watching the trials ofPresident TrumpandHarvey Weinstein, and keeping a close eye on the deadly coronavirus. As such,Dream Horsecomes as the perfect antidote.
“It’s the most perfect underdog story of all time. The story itself is so warm, it’s so positive, and seeing someone who has such a simple, humble life achieving a dream like that is such an incredible, inspirational story,” said Collette. “It’s so empowering, and in no way manipulative. It just makes you feel fantastic. It’s a beautiful story.”
“It’s our job as filmmakers and storytellers to lead the way. It’s our job to lift the hearts of the audience… and I hope they’ll be uplifted,” added Lyn. “The film is about a dream more than it’s about horse racing.”
“This is about a community coming together with one goal, and it’s a necessary thing for people to see at this time… It’s about connection and what this horse does for the entire community. It changes their lives for the better,” said Collette, who added that she “likes to work on things that remind people they’re alive.”
Meanwhile, Collette is in demand as much as ever. Not only does she star inRian Johnson’s Oscar-nominated murder mysteryKnives Out, but she recently wrappedCharlie Kaufman’s psychological thrillerI’m Thinking of Ending Things, and she’ll soon begin filmingGuillermo del Toro’s adaptation ofNightmare Alley.
“[Guillermo] is a complete visionary, a true auteur, and he has a very infectious energy, said Collette, who starts shooting the film in a month. As forEnding Things, which will hit Netflix later this year, she described it as “wild” and “kind of bonkers,” crediting Kaufman for “thinking outside the box.”
Watch the interview above, and stay tuned to Collider for our Sundance supercut, in which dozens of artists offer their Super Bowl predictions, theories on the death of Cliff Booth’s wife inOnce Upon a Time in Hollywood, and which categories they’d like to see added to the Oscars, as well as the TV shows they most recently binged, and the ones they’d love to guest star on. For more onNightmare Alley,click here.
