Dies Robert Redford, godfather of independent cinema

Actor, filmmaker and activist died at the age of 89 at his residence. Astro whose career extended for six decades and successful director Redford was also a major promoter of independent film culture.

Oscar-winning actor and filmmaker, an environmental activist and sponsor of independent cinema Robert Redford died on Tuesday (16/09) at his residence in Sundance, the US state of Utah, “surrounded by those he loved,” his press office said. The cause of death was not disclosed.

After reaching the star in the 1960s, in a time of profound changes in US cinema, Redford gained the icon status in the 1970s, acting in films such as the candidate and all the men of the president. In 1980, as a filmmaker, he won the Oscar for best director and best film for people like us.

Redford accumulated nominations to the Oscar

Redford has also left a movie mark also for his political activism, his willingness to accept little glamorous roles, or his dedication to offering a platform for low -budget movies.

His roles ranged from journalist Bob Woodward from the Washington Post to a mountain man in stronger than revenge over the years with Jane Fonda, Meryl Streep and Tom Cruise. But his most famous screen partner was his friend, also activist Paul Newman (1925-2008).

Alongside Newman, Redford became known for the role of the 1969 character Sundance Kid in the 1969 Butch Cassidy movie, which consecrated his international projection. The film’s box office success gave rise to the name of the Redford Institute, “Sundance”, which also names the Sundance Film Festival, both dedicated to promoting independent films.

He also worked with Newman in the feature film winner of the best film in the 1973 Oscar, Master’s blow, who earned Redford an best actor nomination.

Redford in 2019. Multi-Precinished actor became one of the main promoters of the independent movie scene | Aurore Marechal/Abaca/Picture Alliance

Six -decade career

Cinematographic roles after the 1970s became more sporadic, as Redford focused on driving and producing, and assumed his new sponsor of the independent film movement in the 1980s and 1990s through the Sundance Institute.

“I just think I had a long career I am very pleased with. It was so long since I was 21,” Redford told the AP news agency just before the debut of a style thief in 2018, which he called his farewell film, consecrating six decades of cinema dedication. Years earlier, in 2002, the filmmaker had already received the “Honorary Oscar”, granted by the Cinema Academy, for the whole of his work.

Dustin Hoffman and Robert Redford in “All Men of the President” (1976) | ZUMAPRESS/PICTURE ALLIANCE

Sundance is born

Redford observed Hollywood becoming more cautious and centralized during the 1970s and wanted to rescue the creative spirit of the early decade. The Sundance Institute was created in 1981 to nourish new talents away from Hollywood pressures, offering a space for promotion and training. His homonymous festival takes place annually in Park City, Utah, and was responsible for revealing previously unknown filmmakers such as Quentin Tarantino, Steven Soderbergh, Paul Thomas Anderson and Darren Aronofsky. The Brazilian Central Brazilian, by Walter Salles, had his script awarded by the Redford Institute.

“For me, the word that must be highlighted is ‘independence’,” Redford told AP in 2018.

“I always believed this word. This is what led me to eventually want to create a category that supported independent artists who had no chance of being heard,” he continued.

“The industry was widely controlled by the mainstream, of which I was part. But I saw other stories that were not having the opportunity to be told and thought: maybe I can dedicate my energies to give these people a chance. ‘ When I look back, I feel very good about it. ”

Originally published by DW on 09/16/2025