“Dernsie: The Amazing Life of Bruce Dern” is a chronological biographical documentary by filmmaker Mike Mendez about Dern’s nearly 70-year career in acting, starting ​with small bit parts and moving on to create his distinctive ​acting style, the Dernsie.

A Dernsie is Dern’s ability to do or ⁠say something not in a screenplay that made his performance unique, born out ​of advice he received from influential Greek American director Elia Kazan early in his ​career.

“I never thought I was altogether that interesting, you know what I mean? I mean, I had played the fifth cowboy from the right for 20 years,” Dern told Reuters ahead ​of the premiere.

“He (Kazan) said, ‘Since you’re going to be slotted in that area, make ​sure you’re the most unique fifth cowboy from the right anybody ever saw and out ‌of that ⁠came Dernsie, because you don’t write the Dernsies,’” he said.

The film chronicles his relationships and family, featuring interviews with a long list of famous names he has worked with, including Quentin Tarantino, Billy Bob Thornton, Walton Goggins and his daughter, “Jurassic ​Park” and “Wild at Heart” ​actor Laura Dern.

“The ⁠whole journey of being here knocked me out because what I’ve always looked for in this business - excuse the expression - ​is people that give a shit, and Cannes gave a ​shit about ⁠our documentary,” Dern said.

“That was the big thrill for me, because that means that somebody understood that I’ve been in it 68 years or whatever it is,” he ⁠said.

Dern ​has been nominated for two Oscars, for 1978’s ​Vietnam war drama “Coming Home” and road trip movie “Nebraska,” which also won him the best actor award at ​Cannes in 2013.