Robert Redford on the Oscar controversy, Sundance, and his influence on ‘The Revenant’

By Brian Prowse-Gany

From “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” to “The Natural,” “The Way We Were,” “Out of Africa,” “The Candidate,” “All the President’s Men” and “The Sting,” Robert Redford has helped define American cinema, both in front of and behind the camera, for more than half a century.

Using his talent, charm, and iconic good looks, Redford has consistently challenged the Hollywood mainstream by reinventing himself and delving into emotionally complex material.

Yahoo Global News Anchor Katie Couric sat down with Redford in Park City, Utah, at the end of his Sundance Film Festival, now celebrating its 32nd year of bringing top independent filmmakers to worldwide audiences and commercial success.

A member of the Motion Picture Academy, Redford spoke with Couric about the controversy over the lack of diversity in this year’s pool of Oscar nominees, and why diversity has been an integral part of The Sundance Film Festival since its creation.

It’s the story of one man who tries to survive in the frozen mountaintops of America, forced to overcome the frigid elements, contend with wild animals and battle Native Americans as he finds himself on a quest for vengeance after the murders of his wife and son. What may read like a description of this year’s Oscar-nominated film ‘The Revenant” is actually a synopsis of Robert Redford’s 1972 masterpiece, “Jeremiah Johnson.” Although he hasn’t seen “The Revenant,” Redford said the storyline seems “very familiar.”

Recently, Redford stepped into the shoes of former CBS Anchor Dan Rather in the film “Truth.” The film deals with Rather and the decision of former “60 Minutes” producer Mary Mapes (played by Cate Blanchett) to air documents questioning President George W. Bush’s record in the Air National Guard — a decision that led to Rather’s exit from the “CBS Evening News” chair.

(Video cover photos: Lori Adamski-Peek for Yahoo News)