Cannes 1999 Issue
Robert Redford: The Next Generation
Son James’ Heartfelt Documentary
By Kelly McCarthy
"I’ve been reading my dad’s movie scripts since I was a kid," said James Redford about his behind the scenes education. A screenwriter by trade, Redford is the son of Actor/Director Robert Redford. In his latest project The Kindness of Strangers, James Redford assumes a different role. This time, as executive producer. The subject matter of the feature-length documentary film - organ donation and transplantation - hits home for the 37-year old.
The year 1987 was tough for Redford. That year he was diagnosed with primary sclerosing cholangitis. "I was basically told that if I didn’t get a liver transplant, I would probably die," said Redford. Five years later, Redford’s health had deteriorated. So, in 1993 he received his first organ transplant. Then came another blow - complications. Before long, Redford was back on the critical list.
"My father was just about to start filming Quiz Show. He flew in right after my emergency surgery. When it was clear that I had a tough road ahead, he said, ‘Look, I can shut down this production in a minute.’" James thought about the offer, but he quickly said, ‘No.’ Remarkably, the young screenwriter’s thoughts were with the crew. "Being a screenwriter, I understood the importance of getting a project made," said Redford. "I couldn’t bear knowing that 150 people were out of work because of me."
Quiz Show went into production. Redford’s liver continued to deteriorate. "I basically went into denial. I was hoping that some cure would come along. But, inevitably, I reached the end stage of liver disease," stated Redford, who would receive a second (successful) transplant four months later.
Making The Kindness of Strangers is one way Redford has given back to the medical community that gave him a second, then a third, chance at life. The film was directed by Maro Chermayeff and co-produced by Christine Le Goff. It was most recently screened at the Philadelphia Festival of World Cinema. There, the festival showed 139 films from 40 countries.
Redford’s film follows the true stories of organ donors, their families, and the recipients. Truthful, gripping, and sometimes graphic, real life emotions surface without pretense. Chermayeff’s camera moves quickly between hope and despair, life and death. The film gives intimate access into private lives. And yet, Chermayeff’s lens is never intrusive. There is no attempt to make a political statement. Instead, the character’s true life experiences speak for themselves. From the film’s inception, Redford and Chermayeff agreed to keep an unbiased eye. "Aren't we all getting tired when an agenda creeps into something? Quickly, one shuts off emotionally from the manipulation," said Redford about keeping the piece honest.
The Kindness of Strangers premiered at The Telluride Film Festival in 1998 and went on to win the coveted Crystal Heart Award at the Heartland Film Festival. The Sundance Film Festival also showed the film. Sold to HBO, it will make its television debut in the fall of’99. Jane Balfour Films Limited of London is currently working on foreign distribution.
Other upcoming projects of James Redford’s include: Hearts and Bones, his original screenplay now in post-production with Neverland Films. The picture stars Keifer Sutherland and Darryl Hannah. And currently, Redford is adapting Tony Hillerman’s Skinwalkers for South Fork Pictures. Redford is the founder and president of the non-profit James Redford Institute for Transplant Awareness. "I’m not different from other organ recipients. Most of us desire to give back in some way," added Redford.