Robert Redford, a prominent figure in American cinema, spoke out against the attack on Iraq. He urged independent filmmakers to take action to prevent what he called the erosion of freedom of expression. In his speech at the Sundance Film Festival, Mr. Redford stated that the White House must 'justify' its actions to the American people before resorting to war. He warned that freedom of expression in America is 'threatened from various angles' and added that independent films can help keep informal artistic and political opinions alive. He said independent cinema 'can be very effective in terms of how the government behaves, the information the government allows to be published, and the nature of the government's attitude towards freedom of expression.' He added, 'One of the virtues of independent films is that they are not only not under the pressure of the dry principle of commercial success, but also there is no barrier to expressing different opinions.' He stated that freedom of expression is our most valuable virtue. We must be careful and not underestimate this virtue.
Robert Redford Speaks Out Against the Attack on Iraq - 2003-02-27
Robert Redford publicly opposed the U.S. attack on Iraq, emphasizing the importance of freedom of expression and the role of independent filmmakers in safeguarding it. His remarks at the Sundance Film Festival highlighted the need for the government to justify its actions to the public. This matters as it reflects the intersection of art, politics, and civil liberties in the context of U.S. foreign policy.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
Robert Redford publicly opposed the U.S. attack on Iraq during a speech at the Sundance Film Festival, emphasizing the importance of freedom of expression and the role of independent filmmakers in promoting diverse opinions. He called for the government to justify its actions to the public.
- Redford highlighted the threat to freedom of expression in America.
- He urged independent filmmakers to take action against government censorship.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
In the early 2000s, the U.S. was preparing for military action in Iraq, raising concerns about civil liberties and the role of dissent in a democratic society. This period saw heightened scrutiny of government actions and the importance of independent voices.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →
Translation confidence: 85%