By LINDSEY BAHR AP Film Writer<\/b>
\nBy LINDSEY BAHR AP Film Writer
Sundance Institute founder Robert Redford did not shy away from addressing the elephants in the room – Harvey Weinstein and the #MeToo – Thursday at the Sundance Film Festival, saying that the fallen executive is not \u00ab\u00a0going to stop the show.\u00a0\u00bb
Both the lingering shadow of Weinstein, who long lorded over the indie film festival, and the Me Too movement dominated conversation at the historically tame opening day press conference in Park City, Utah.
\u00ab\u00a0Harvey Weinstein was a moment in time and we’re going to move past that,\u00a0\u00bb Redford said. \u00ab\u00a0I don’t think he’s going to stop the show.\u00a0\u00bb
In recent months, Weinstein has been accused of two instances of assault at Sundance, including actress Rose McGowan’s rape allegation from 1997. Representatives for Weinstein have denied all allegations of non-consensual sex.
\u00ab\u00a0We were sickened to hear along with everyone else about Harvey’s behavior and even more so to learn that at least a couple of those instances happened at the Sundance Film Festival,\u00a0\u00bb added Keri Putnam, the executive director for the Sundance Institute. \u00ab\u00a0They are nothing we were aware of at the time.\u00a0\u00bb
Putnam said that recent revelations and conversations around sexual misconduct are creating a new awareness.
\u00ab\u00a0This isn’t a new conversation for us, but it’s a new moment and we’re not going to go backward from here,\u00a0\u00bb she said.
In response to assault allegations during the festival and heightened sensitivity to sexual misconduct, the festival has taken strides to ensure the safety of its guests, including instilling a public code of conduct and a 24-hour safety hotline in partnership with Utah Attorney General’s office.
\u00ab\u00a0It’s a bit of a ground zero,\u00a0\u00bb said festival director John Cooper.
Redford also addressed the Me Too and Time’s Up movements saying that he’s, \u00ab\u00a0Pretty encouraged right now.\u00a0\u00bb
\u00ab\u00a0It’s bringing forth more opportunity for women and more opportunity for women in film for their voices to be heard and have their own projects,\u00a0\u00bb Redford said. \u00ab\u00a0The role for men right now is to listen and to let women’s voices be heard and think about it.\u00a0\u00bb
The Sundance Film Festival runs through Jan. 28.
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