Robert Redford Opens Sundance



(image via REUTERS/Danny Moloshok)

Another winter, another Sundance Film Festival, and that means another address on the state of Indie cinema via "Professor Bob," the crankiest -- and best beloved -- professor at the most wildly creative American liberal arts college of sorts. From TheStar:

"At yesterday's opening press conference for the 25th Sundance Film Festival, Redford seemed almost grumpy at times as he wrestled with questions about how Sundance has been affected by harsh economic times and the challenges to independent film wrought by technology and shifting audiences.

"The actor, director and arts advocate resisted the suggestion that a quarter-century of promoting and nurturing independent film through Sundance had changed his own outlook on life.

"I don't know so much that film has changed me as much as it has affected me," Redford said.

"..That world includes a new U.S. president come Tuesday, and Redford allowed that this is one change he can embrace.


"'This is obviously a really, really important inauguration, because of the change it's representing,' Redford said.

'"I'm happy it's happening in the middle of our festival ... I'm personally excited because I'm glad to see the gang who couldn't shoot straight get out of there. You've got a lame duck guy (George W. Bush) going out, but he sure was doing a lot of quacking in the last while.'

"Redford, 72, was in full Professor Bob mode yesterday, arriving at the old-school Egyptian Theatre on historic Main St. dressed in a dark pea coat, matching beret and the eyeglasses he usually wears off camera. He still has a full head of dirty blonde hair (with some grey advancing on the sideburns), and like everybody else outside of Hollywood, he has a bit of a paunch."