I'm always drawn to stories that people don't know about, particularly when they're inside of a story that everyone knows about.
I am a cynical optimist. Big opening weekends are like cotton candy. The films you will remember over time are the films that stick in the consciousness of the audience in a good way.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote reflects the balance between skepticism and hope in the film industry, emphasizing lasting impact over initial success.
Robert Redford expresses a perspective that combines optimism with cynicism, particularly regarding the film industry. He suggests that while big opening weekends may seem enticing, they are often superficial and fleeting, much like cotton candy. Redford values films that resonate deeply with audiences and leave a lasting impression, indicating that true success in filmmaking is measured by the long-term impact and memory of a film rather than just its immediate box office performance.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
During a film critics' panel, one might quote Redford to discuss the importance of lasting storytelling in cinema.
More from Robert Redford
All quotes →People say I've gone against Hollywood, but I've tried to be independent within Hollywood, tried to be my own person.
When I was a kid, all I knew was that I felt more comfortable sitting in one chair than in another. And now I realize it was because one chair was older. I still respond directly to the age of things.
For me, the Sundance Institute is just an extension of something I believed in, which is creating a mechanism for new voices to have a place to develop and be heard.
Storytelling was a way to see the world bigger than the one you were looking at, and that had great appeal for me. I think, since that was part of my upbringing, it became part of me, and I wanted to pass it along to my kids and my grandkids.
Be careful of success; it has a dark side.
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