On the cold slopes of Park City’s Main Street, one last hurrah took place this January. Sundance Film Festival, the indie film mecca birthed by Robert Redford, had its final curtain. Sentiments were mixed. The programming was good, but reviews were fairly lackluster—as were sales. The Invite from Olivia Wilde starring herself, Seth Rogan, Penelope Cruz and Edward Norton was the festival’s big bidding-war movie sale.
Overall, the local community had a hard time understanding why the festival was leaving for Boulder, Colorado next year. For myself, I am welcoming the relocation because Boulder is in my backyard. For those in Park City whose commercial success relies on that boon of people each year, I can sympathize. Others embrace this next chapter, excited to see the transition unfold.
For many attendees, it was simply an emotional experience. Decades of congregating in those mountain hills, creative communities built and flourished from within. More importantly, the founder and guiding star, Robert Redford, died months before at age 89. Having started it in 1981, he truly was the face of the institute. Seeing his daughter, Amy, tearfully say she wished he was there beside her was a heartfelt moment.
The Vulture Studio was in action interviewing A-list talent, as was the Audible Variety Lounge. There were fewer celebrity sightings than in the past, but some of the bigger names included Charli XCX, Ethan Hawke, Olivia Wilde, and Peter Dinklage. There were major travel disruptions from storms in New York so that accounted for some no-shows, like Jessica Chastain and others. The nightlife was on point yet again opening weekend. Secret sets from Benson Boone and T.I. marked two of the signature events. In Park city, the films, panels, brunches, networking mixers and premier parties were flowing one last time.
