Dear Friends,
As many of you know, the world lost a great believer in the power of storytelling this week–an artist/actor/visionary named Robert Redford. As some of you may know, he was also a beloved friend of 30 plus years. His friendship is a gift I cherish and hold closer in this time of grieving the loss of his light in the world.
At some point later, I will share my reflections on this extraordinary man and the enormous impact he had on the lives of all who met him or worked with him and especially the many thousands of other storytellers whose stories were nurtured through the Sundance Institute’s artists programs or screened at the Sundance Film Festival. I’ve had the privilege of witnessing as a trustee of the Sundance Institute for three decades the impact of his vision which was to create new opportunities for discovery and support for the stories not being seen or told because, as he said often, “storytellers broaden our minds: engage, provoke, inspire and ultimately connect us”
I’m going to honor his legacy and the deep roots of our connection by uplifting some stories that I believe embody that promise. Whether spoken from a stage, illuminated on a screen, or performed through music and dance, in every form, stories can create the emotional connections that remind us of our shared humanity. They shape what we believe is possible, and they have always been at the heart of movements for justice.
Whether it’s a documentary that reveals truths we can’t ignore, a performance on stage that stirs us to tears, or a song that lingers in our hearts long after the last note—stories awaken us. They move us to compassion and when compassion takes hold, action follows. That is the transformative power of stories well told.
Let me share one of my stories as a filmmaker and storyteller myself, fortunate enough to have worked alongside Redford on a six hour documentary series on America’s indigenous communities which was titled “The Native Americans”.
It had been Ted Turner’s original idea to document the untold and unknown stories from the history of many of the indigenous nations who lived and thrived on this land before there it was called the United States. Redford insisted that all those stories be written, directed, and produced by indigenous storytellers, many of whom had been supported, mentored, uplifted through the Native Voices labs at the Sundance Institute, a program that continues to offer opportunities for indigenous storytellers from around the world.
Working with Bob (and yes, his friends do call him Bob and it’s hard not to do so here) on this series, was my mentorship on the importance of proximate storytellers, of finding and elevating the stories closest to the challenges. That series was broadcast on Turner cable networks, but has never been shown again after Turner Broadcasting was bought by TimeWarner. You can find it online on various film sites.
I am forever grateful for the experience which taught me more about trust, about authenticity, about allowing stories and storytellers to find their way, and watching Redford do this was a master class in shaping stories for greatest impact.
Recently, when the Helen Gurley Brown Foundation gave me the opportunity to support indigenous storytellers, I took this grant to the Redford Center, another organization Bob and his son, Jamie, founded to support stories and storytellers focused on environment. We identified four indigenous frontline leaders of solutions to the nature and climate challenges in their communities. These are not easy stories to tell and the storytellers are not professional filmmakers, but the stories they tell have the power of up close and personal witness. These are kinds of stories seldom seen by large numbers of people as the media companies and streaming services aren’t convinced audiences will appreciate their authenticity or their power to engage and inspire. I believe they are powerful stories of resilience and perseverance and of individuals trying to make a difference. Small actions but big differences. And they are authentic storytellers who are, themselves, part of the stories they tell. I’m truly excited to share that you can now see these films.
From September 15–28, you can watch these short films through The Redford
Center’s free virtual screening series, Films That Move.
And on September 26 at 11am PT / 2pm ET, join the filmmakers for a live conversation exploring Indigenous-led environmental solutions, their on-the-ground impact, and a collective call to action. Register here
Enraizados (Deeply Rooted) shares the story of Cherán, a P'urhépecha town in Mexico, rising against illegal logging to reclaim autonomy and revive their forests; offering a model of sustainable self-determination.
Nuraga Bhumi follows an all-Indigenous women patrol team in Sumatra, Indonesia, as they defend their forest and protect critically endangered tigers, showing the power of women-led stewardship.
Zag follows land defenders Zágbág and Isabela as they fight to save the endangered araucaria “Zag” trees—exploring the tension between tradition and modern pressures while honoring a community’s resilience.
Kanenon: we – Original Seeds follows Haudenosaunee women reconnecting with their ancestral seeds to safeguard them for future generations, weaving culture, resilience, and food sovereignty.
These stories remind us that some of the most effective solutions to the climate crisis are already being practiced by communities deeply rooted in their lands. Shifting the stories we tell—and who we center in them—is essential, because stories shape our sense of what’s possible.
Project Dandelion, as faithful readers know, is the campaign I co founded with Mary Robinson, Ronda Carnegie and Hafsat Abiola, to elevate women-led solutions to a just transition from the current climate and nature crisis to a climate safe and livable world for all, is committed to amplifying these stories of what is already working.
I can’t talk about the power of storytelling without referencing V (formerly Eve Ensler) whose plays have quite literally shifted cultures in communities around the world, opened minds, changed policies, uplifted the frontline warriors ending gender based violence in their communities and even saved lives. “The Vagina Monologues” tells individual (but universal) stories and is compelling evidence of the power of stories to launch and sustain a global social justice movement. Now V has turned her award-winning skills as a storyteller/activist to create a new theatrical experience that will launch a youth led campaign to end the extractive practices that have been a major contributor the climate and nature crisis.
Dear Everything: A Musical Uprising for the Earth – Atlanta Premiere
On Thursday, September 25, Atlanta will host the one-night-only launch of Dear Everything at The Eastern.
This extraordinary new musical—created by V (formerly Eve Ensler) and Tony Award-winning director Diane Paulus, with music by Grammy nominee Justin Tranter—is more than a performance. It’s a movement. With riveting anthems, a youth choir, and stories of families navigating a rapidly changing world, Dear Everything channels righteous outrage into galvanizing hope. It’s one community’s story but as a story of young people finding their voice, their way to protest and to lead forward will inspire, engage, and hopefully activate the generation whose future is at risk.
Join us in Atlanta or in other cities around the country.
All these stories and more I will write about in weeks to come remind us that culture is a catalyst for change. Stories move us from despair to determination. They expand our sense of what’s possible.
Staying focused on what’s possible, even in challenging times. I sometimes seek solace and hope in poetry. One of my favorites is the Maya Angelou poem: “When Great Trees Fall”.
A great tree fell this week when Robert Redford passed from this world, and i am comforted by the words at the end of this great poem: “our senses, restored, never to be the same, whispers to us. They existed. They Existed. We can be. Be and be better. For they existed.”
The world is better because Robert Redford existed among us and created stories and empowered others to tell theirs. The invitation before us now is to let these stories and others open our hearts, fuel our resolve, and guide us toward a future where justice, care, and possibility flourish in everyone’s story.
Onward!
- Pat
P.S. Forwarded this newsletter and find it informative? Subscribe here.
P.P.S. If you enjoy this newsletter, consider sharing it with friends and family!
