Sailesh Ram (Bird No1 as creator and the first contributor to the site) remembers seeing the Hollywood icon for the first time…
HE OOZED charm, sophistication and almost certainly most people in the room were in awe of him. Bird No1 definitely was…
On Monday evening (September 15, in the UK), the world learnt that one of the greatest of Hollywood legends had passed to the other side.
Aged 89, Robert Redford was far more than just a movie star – in an age when almost everyone, no let’s say everyone in the West and anyone anywhere in the world who followed Hollywood, knew who he was.
They simply don’t make them like that any more…
A heartthrob in front of the screen – the all American Californian icon is being remembered mostly for his screen roles – ‘Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid’, ‘All The President’s Men’ (a particular favourite) but he was also a much acclaimed director – winning an Oscar for ‘Ordinary People’ (1980).
He was also a great environmentalist, championing nature and the beauty of the Utah mountains where he lived and the location of the film festival he came to create.
Bird No1 has a particular memory of the star that will stay with us – it was when we attended the Sundance Film Festival in 2019.
That year there was Gurinder Chadha’s ‘Blinded by the Light’, Ritesh Batra’s ‘Photograph’ – his first India-based film since the phenomenal global success of ‘The Lunchbox’ – which we had seen in Cannes at its world premiere; and last but certainly not least, was now UK based filmmaker Richie Mehta’s unforgettable ‘Delhi Crime’, also premiering there and clinching a Netflix deal the night before its screening. All very memorable in its own way but perhaps the real highlight was seeing Robert Redford himself.
It being our first (and only) time we were keen to experience as much as possible and went to the welcome introduction at the famous Egyptian Theatre in the heart of Park City. It was essentially a welcome to accredited press.
There were only about 30 folks in the room – perhaps all newbies like myself – I wasn’t even sure Redford would appear.
It was thrilling that he did and he shared with us that it would be the last time he would ever welcome the press in this way. He said, more or less he was getting “too old”.
I felt extremely privileged and humbled and revelled in the five minutes or so he was on the stage.
What he created with the Sundance Institute and then the festival itself cannot be underestimated – he gave a platform to so many and Sundance still seeks to represent marginalised and underrepresented voices.
Reportedly it gave him huge satisfaction – more than his own movie career – and it was evident he had given birth to something wonderful and inspiring its own way.
We hope to return to Sundance next year – as it will be the last time the festival will be held in Park City, Utah.
The festival has outgrown the small upmarket ski resort town it finds itself in – and after consultation and feedback, Sundance 2027 is headed for Boulder, Colorado.
Next year will be even more poignant and in some ways the last film festival in Redford’s beloved Utah home has just acquired more significance and will represent the passing of an era.
Senior figures from the Sundance Institute which runs Sundance, issued a statement: “Bob’s vision launched a movement that, over four decades later, has inspired generations of artists and redefined cinema in the U.S. and around the world.
“The vibrant storytelling landscape we cherish today, both as artists and audiences, is unimaginable without his passionate drive and principled leadership.
“Beyond Bob’s enormous contributions to culture at large, we will miss his generosity, clarity of purpose, curiosity, rebellious spirit, and his love for the creative process.
“We are humbled to be among the stewards of his remarkable legacy, which will continue to guide the Institute in perpetuity. As we look to the future, we are particularly grateful for the inspiring group of people who make up the Sundance Institute community.
“Thank you for your participation in our work that carries on Bob’s mission and vision.”
It is personally signed by Amanda Kelso, acting CEO Sundance Institute; Michelle Slater, founding senior director Artist programs; Eugene Hernandez, director of film festival and public programming.
Robert Redford (1936-2025), actor, director, film festival creator, environmentalist, leaves behind seven grandchildren…
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