Crafting compelling narratives holds the utmost significance.
Hanging Out with a Legend: A Casual Chat with Robert Redford
profound man who dominates a room with merely his charm. Robert Redford, at 83 years old, sports a physique that's as athletic as ever, hair that's a mixture of red, blond, and gray, piercing blue eyes, and a face etched with wrinkles that add depth to his expressions. And let's not forget his ever-present aura of carefree coolness that's made him an icon on the big screen. When asked about his morning routine, he grins and shares, "I still feel flexible when I wake up, thank goodness. I still have the urge to stroll through the woods near my house. Immersing myself in nature is a form of meditation for me."
Last year, he starred in Old Man & the Gun, and expressed his intent to retire from acting. But when prodded about this, he winks mischievously, "For now, I've retired, but never say never..." His evasive response leaves us guessing about his future plans. Recently, we celebrated the Sundance Film Festival from January 23 to February 2.
Reminiscing about Sundance's Humble Beginnings
"My son Jamie and I were walking the streets, trying to persuade people to go to the cinema!" Redford chuckles. Back then, tickets were hard to sell, but the festival has come a long way since its inception. "I've always believed in the power of stories. Whether it's films like Out of Africa, one of my favorites, where people gather around a table in the evenings, sharing stories, or documentaries, which I see as new and incredibly effective forms of journalism. At the time, they were still underappreciated. The success of the Sundance Institute, and then the festival, all stems from idealism, from consistently believing in a dream. When Hollywood was obsessed with technology and special effects, I focused on finding the essence of telling good stories. That's how I became involved in independent cinema, even when no one else was interested.[1][4]"
A Cowboy at Heart
Redford has never had a fondness for studio system and Hollywood's glamorous side..."I guess I've always had the soul of a cowboy," he explains. "I moved to Utah because I couldn't stand superficiality and pretense, and I couldn't fake it when it came to finding work. For Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, it was Paul Newman, who was already a popular star at the time, who insisted on having me in that role, believing in me[3]. I'll never forget that, and I still miss him."
Supporting the #MeToo Movement
Regarding movements like #MeToo, Redford comments, "I've always been close to Jane Fonda, who was a trailblazer in this regard. She knows how much I've admired women. At Sundance, we've always prioritized female directors and panels of women producers and entrepreneurs. It's wonderful to see things changing, and it's crucial that men listen to what women have to say, acknowledge our mistakes, and allow them the freedom to speak up."
[1] Variety (2019). Sundance Institute Turns 40 and Robert Redford Hints at Potential Directing Return | Festivals - Variety. https://variety.com/2019/film/news/robert-redford-sundance-40th-anniversary-directing-return-1203251146/
[2] The Guardian (2018). Robert Redford: it’s time to say goodbye to acting – but not to Sundance. https://www.theguardian.com/film/2018/aug/13/robert-redford-it-time-to-say-goodbye-to-acting-but-not-to-sundance
[3] IMDb (2021). Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969). https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0063594/
- Despite his intentions to retire from acting, Robert Redford's evasive response leaves the entertainment industry guessing about his future plans, as he continues to be a driving force in the world of movies-and-tv.
- Robert Redford, a profound man in the entertainment industry, has always valued the power of stories, whether it's through work in movies, reminiscing about Sundance's humble beginnings, or supporting the careers of celebrities, particularly women, as seen in his involvement with the #MeToo movement.
