The death of Robert Redford — beloved actor, philanthropist, and champion of independent film — brought tributes from around the world. None were more heartfelt than those from the Sundance film community, where Redford’s vision of founding the Sundance Film Festival in 1981 gave thousands of filmmakers and actors their first opportunity.
I have been fortunate enough to review films at Sundance for more than a decade, which has left me with a deep appreciation for Redford and the festival’s role in shaping independent cinema. Below are five of my favorite Sundance films that capture his legacy.
Steven Soderbergh’s Sex, Lies and Videotape (1989) tells the story of a man (James Spader) whose habit of videotaping women talking about their lives disrupts the fragile marriage of a young couple (Andie MacDowell and Peter Gallagher). Its honest, sometimes uncomfortable take on intimacy and betrayal surprised Sundance audiences, won the Audience Award, and helped kick off a new wave of independent filmmaking. More than thirty years later, this low-budget, cerebral film still packs a punch and remains one of the defining titles that put the Sundance Film Festival on the map.
(Available on Amazon, Apple TV, or Fandango at Home.)
Searching for Sugar Man (2012) tells the story of 1970s singer-songwriter Rodriguez, who many considered the equal of Bob Dylan but who vanished from the music scene after recording just two albums. A bootlegged copy of one of his records made its way to South Africa, where he became a cult hero, selling more records than Elvis Presley. The film follows the search from South Africa to California and Detroit to uncover what really happened to him, with the final scenes famously shot on an iPhone after the production ran out of money — a testament to the power of storytelling over budget. This extraordinary documentary went on to win the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature and remains one of Sundance’s most uplifting discoveries.
(Streaming on Amazon, Apple TV, or Google Play Movies.)
Financed by private donations, Rebirth (2011) followed five individuals impacted by the 9/11 attacks over a ten-year period as they grieved and rebuilt their lives. The film focused not on the event itself, but on how humans are hard-wired to heal, interweaving intimate stories with time-lapse footage of Ground Zero’s cleanup and rebuilding. I think of this remarkable film every September and wonder how the individuals are faring decades later. For many years, clips of this emotional film were screened at the 9/11 Memorial Museum.
(Available on Apple TV and Amazon Video.)
Blythe Danner delivered what may be her career-best performance in I’ll See You in My Dreams (2015), playing a widow navigating aging, grief, and a late-in-life romance with the handsome and dashing Sam Elliott. Written and directed by then-unknown Brett Haley, it’s an honest story about loss, resilience, and the unexpected ways love and friendship can return to your life. With a bigger studio marketing push, Danner might well have been an Oscar nominee. This is the film I most often recommend to friends — and they always thank me.
(Available on Netflix, Amazon Video, Fandango at Home, and Apple TV.)
The tender coming-of-age drama CODA (2021) follows Ruby (Emilia Jones), the only hearing member of a deaf family, as she serves as their interpreter while pursuing her dream of becoming a singer. One of the film’s most powerful moments shows the world through her parents’ eyes — able to see the applause when she sings on stage but not hear it. The music, filled with familiar oldies, gives the film much of its heart. Apple acquired CODA for a record $25 million, and it went on to become the first Sundance premiere to win the Academy Award for Best Picture. Troy Kotsur also made history as the first deaf male actor to win an Academy Award.
(Available on Apple TV, Amazon Prime, Google Movies, and Fandango at Home.)
There have been thousands of films that got their start at Sundance, but these five remain my personal favorites. They reflect the powerful, daring storytelling that Robert Redford championed, ensuring that his vision for independent film will live on.
Jane Howze is managing director of The Alexander Group, a national executive search firm. She has covered every Sundance Film Festival since 2011.