The Circuit

Are Sundance's Mideast plans on shaky ground? 

Just after Ali Jaafar reported the fest was in advanced negotiations with Abu Dhabi to launch a film festival, Robert Redford seemed cautious on the idea.

"There may be too many cooks on that issue," said Redford. "Nothing has been signed yet but we'll probably go into that territory."

International efforts were on the minds of journos at the traditional Sundance press conference.  Redford and Sundance head programmer Geoff Gilmore stressed their Mideast filmmaking labs and their outreach to Latin America.

But domestic issues took over midway, as journos quizzed the famously left Redford on his political thoughts.

Looking forward to Tuesday, Redford said that while he won't be there, it was an "important inauguration." 

"Anything can be better than what we had," he said. "I'm just glad to see the gang that couldn't shoot straight get out.  For a lame duck he sure has done a lot of quacking recently."

On the economy, Redford was somber and cautious: "Art will find a way."

Gilmore said the fest hasn't yet been affected: "Ticket sales are ahead of last year and sponsor support is solid.  We're weathering what's going on."

Yet the politics were still on the mind at the end.  A journo asked Redford if he'd be willing to take a Cabinet position of Culture in the Obama Administration. 

Redford chuckled, then said flatly, "No."