Independent's day: Redford finally performs in Sundance movie

LOS ANGELES — Robert Redford likes to keep a low profile at his Sundance Film Festival so the focus will remain on other people's movies.

When he finally starred in a movie that qualified for Sundance, it took some arm-twisting for Redford to agree to show it at his own independent-minded festival.

"The Clearing" is one of the few independent movies Redford has made in a career dominated by studio-financed projects such as "The Horse Whisperer," "Spy Game" or his two pairings with Paul Newman, "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" and "The Sting."

Sundance director Geoff Gilmore saw "The Clearing" and wanted it at last January's festival. Redford had strong reservations.

"I was concerned about the appearance of being self-serving," Redford, 66, said in an interview with The Associated Press.

The actor eventually was persuaded by Gilmore, who told him, "'Look, I want it because I think it's the kind of film we should have, and the fact that you're in it basically says you're contributing to the very thing you created,"' Redford said.

Directed by Pieter Jan Brugge, "The Clearing" stars Redford as a self-made rental-car tycoon kidnapped by an envious failure (Willem Dafoe). Helen Mirren co-stars as Redford's wife.

Unlike Redford's studio flicks, which open simultaneously in thousands of theaters, "The Clearing" follows the indie pattern. It debuted in a handful of cinemas over the Fourth of July weekend and has been gradually expanding to wider release. The film opens today at the Broadway Centre Cinemas in downtown Salt Lake City.

Late this year brings "An Unfinished Life," directed by Lasse Hallstrom and starring Redford as a recluse reconnecting with his daughter-in-law (Jennifer Lopez), whom he blames for his son's death.

Redford also hopes to direct and star in a follow-up to "The Candidate," his 1972 satire about an idealist sucked into the reality of compromise politics when he runs for the U.S. Senate.

AP: You've been the most visible backer of independent film for more than 20 years. Did you feel overdue for a smaller, independent feature yourself?