John Malkovich could not hold back his emotions during the premiere of "Wild Horse Nine," the film he stars in, as the audience gave it a prolonged standing ovation at the Venice Film Festival.
The 72-year-old actor appeared visibly moved as the applause stretched on following the screening on Thursday, September 3.
The new comedy from Martin McDonagh, starring Malkovich alongside Sam Rockwell and Parker Posey, drew a warm reaction from the audience throughout the screening, according to People. Viewers laughed loudly at several points during the film and shouted praise for the cast and crew once it ended.
Videos posted on social media showed Malkovich and Rockwell talking and laughing with each other as the ovation, which lasted 13 minutes, continued.
Standing ovation caught on video
Also attending the premiere were actors Posey, Steve Buscemi, Mariana Di Girolamo and Ailin Salas. Martin McDonagh was present with his partner, Phoebe Waller-Bridge. The 57-year-old Rockwell was joined on the red carpet by his partner, Leslie Bibb.
What "Wild Horse Nine" is about
"Wild Horse Nine" follows two CIA agents, played by Malkovich and Rockwell, who travel from Santiago, Chile, to Easter Island as tensions rise ahead of the 1973 coup in the country.
According to Searchlight Pictures' official synopsis, amid the island's iconic statues and as the longtime partners grapple with their dark past and present-day conspiracies, Malkovich's character encounters two students, played by Di Girolamo and Salas. That encounter threatens to derail everyone's journey to the remote island paradise, the synopsis says.
Malkovich on his decades-long career
Malkovich spoke earlier on Thursday at a press conference about his long career in film and said his passion for acting remains undiminished. He said he essentially does, and has done throughout his life, what he loves, and intends to keep doing it. The two-time Oscar nominee added that he does not intend to retire, because he believes retirement will come to him when the time is right, calling that the natural course of things.
"Wild Horse Nine" is set to open in US cinemas on November 6.
