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PARK CITY — Sundance film festival founder, Robert Redford, has said that documentaries are as important at this festival as the feature films.
This year that includes, "Resilience" a film by James Redford, son of Robert. He has spent most of his career writing and producing them for HBO.
"Exposure to trauma affects children's developing brains," is a statement made by one of the medical experts in James Redford's newest film, "Resilience."
"Chronic stress for children at a young age, has a serious impact on their life outcomes, unless you do something about it."
James Redford is passionate about the power of film. On Thursday evening, while his famous father was officially opening the Sundance Film Festival, he and a panel of medical experts met with Salt Lake teachers to discuss the cutting-edge brain science they believe can help stop violence, addiction, even diseases. It begins, he says, with a shift in attitude.
"…In which we don't just sit there and look at behaviors of children and teens and immediately judge them and dismiss them but ask what's going on? It's a big topic that obviously means so much to all of us who care about children, that we decided it needed two films," James Redford said.
Most of his career has focused on documentaries. It began in 1993 when he produced "The kindness of strangers" and afterward created the James Redford Institute for transplant awareness.
"Being a two-time liver transplant recipient myself, I have a keen awareness of the value of organ donation. The ability to tell that story and make a difference, ignited an interest that's never really gone away," said James Redford.
His 2012 film "The big picture: Rethinking dyslexia" was groundbreaking.
"One in five kids are born with it. Most going through life never achieving their potential," said one of the doctors.
And again in 2013, "Toxic hot seat" opened eyes to the dangers of chemical flame-retardants.
One mother asks in the film, "Why do we have these chemicals in our lives? Why do we have them in our furniture? Why do we have them in our bodies?"
And now what he is saying with "Resilience" is that research leads to answers, which can provide hope and the Sundance Film Festival opens that door.
"The festival has always had a tradition of promoting issues and stories that have a possibility of changing traditional dialogue. So, when you know that history and you get in. Which isn't always the case for me. It's a real joy. I have no doubt that being here is really going to make a difference nationally and perhaps internationally as well," James Redford said.
"Resilience" has screenings through the week at Sundance Resort, Park City and at Rose Wagner.
