The Sundance Film Festival's Opening Night Gala in Park City, Utah, was a star-studded event with Sundance Institute CEO Joana Vicente honoring filmmaker Christopher Nolan with the inaugural Sundance Trailblazer Award. Nolan's career highlights, starting with 'Memento' at Sundance, were celebrated, and he also shared an anecdote about a shocking call with Comcast boss Brian Roberts. 'The Eternal Memory' director Maite Alberdi was also honored at the gala. Robert Downey Jr., who teased Nolan for his on-set bathroom break schedule and discomfort with public recognition, reunited with Nolan at the event. The gala saw reflections on the festival's history by board member Amy Redford and discussions by Cillian Murphy and Emily Blunt about making Nolan's 'Oppenheimer'. Celebrities braved the chilly weather to attend the 40th annual festival.
Robert Downey Jr says Christopher Nolan “doesn’t even really like it when you go to the bathroom but he understands you have to.” “I asked him ‘dude when do you go?’ And he goes ‘11am and 6pm’. I was like, ‘are you fucking with me?’” (Source: https://t.co/MmfvmJsXo1) https://t.co/i3cwPXy8ZL
Robert Downey Jr. helped kick off the 2024 Sundance Film Festival by honoring Christopher Nolan, joking that the success of 'Oppenheimer' has been a 'terrible tragedy' for the introverted director. https://t.co/YydSHWJYEN
PHOTOS: Celebrities flock to the 40th annual Sundance Film Festival Robert Downey Jr., Christopher Nolan and more brave the chilly Utah weather to celebrate the best in film. https://t.co/TDS8vk2zHg
If Christopher Nolan wants to find you, he’ll find you. Watch Cillian Murphy, Emily Blunt, and @RobertDowneyJr discuss how #Oppenheimer came to be. 🔗: https://t.co/03XYZ5rwJK @UniversalPics https://t.co/94LjCRSiAN
The “OppenHomies” are back. Cillian Murphy, Emily Blunt, and Robert Downey Jr. sat down with VF to discuss making Christopher Nolan’s #Oppenheimer. https://t.co/tA9Zr8yZx0
Robert Downey Jr jokes that Christopher Nolan “needs his spirits lifted, he’s a bit blue because a terrible tragedy has befallen him: he has become recognizable on the street.” “He recoils, as though from a hot flame, from this new and unwelcome reality.” (via: @chrissgardner) https://t.co/qhTqUvZ0vT
Robert Downey Jr. and Christopher Nolan attend the 2024 Sundance Film Festival Opening Night Gala https://t.co/jMzQnVRTgb
Christopher Nolan Charms Sundance, Denies Being "Independent Filmmaker" and Recalls How "No One Wanted" Seminal Film 'Memento' https://t.co/KENedz5N20
Robert Downey Jr. teased Christopher Nolan for limiting bathroom breaks on set to "11 a.m. and 6 p.m. sharp," adding that "diuretics are his kryptonite." https://t.co/0Q3rsR0SY9
Robert Downey Jr. teased Christopher Nolan for limiting bathroom breaks on set to "11 a.m. and 6 p.m. sharp," adding that diuretics are his "kryptonite." https://t.co/0Q3rsR0SY9
Robert Downey Jr. teased Christopher Nolan for limiting bathroom breaks on set to “11 a.m. and 6 p.m. sharp," adding that diuretics are his kryptonite.” https://t.co/0Q3rsR0SY9
Christopher Nolan Hates Getting Recognized in Public, According to Robert Downey Jr. https://t.co/0Q3rsR0SY9
Robert Downey Jr. Hails Christopher Nolan ‘as Independent a Voice as Ever Existed in Cinema’ https://t.co/ALtJk3c2iF https://t.co/HW9PxbyR4H
(WATCH) Christopher Nolan speaks at the Sundance Opening Night gala about a shocking call with Comcast boss Brian Roberts and the power of #Sundance as he accepts the 1st Sundance Trailblazer Award https://t.co/oLG2PxQdb4
(WATCH) Christopher Nolan speaks at the Sundance Opening Night gala about a shocking call with Comcast boss Brian Roberts and the power of #Sundance https://t.co/hB0eGdvl5r
Christopher Nolan Praises The Power Of Sundance; 'Oppenheimer' Filmmaker "Never Compromised" Robert Downey Jr. Says At Opening Night Gala https://t.co/Bjyb0prqXN
Robert Downey Jr. arrives at #Sundance opening night gala with 'Oppenheimer' director Christopher Nolan. He will present him with an inaugural Sundance Institute Trailblazer Award https://t.co/x80m8Xutrq
“Look at him, he’s here!” Robert Downey Jr. showed up to support Christopher Nolan receiving the inaugural #Sundance Trailblazer Award https://t.co/wasGG6Y09Q
“Oppenheimer” director Christopher Nolan and star Robert Downey Jr. reunite at the #Sundance2024 Opening Night Gala. https://t.co/TYZD1ueD4t
Robert Downey Jr., Christopher Nolan and Emma Thomas pose for photos on the carpet at Sundance's Opening Night Gala. https://t.co/Jki3Hqvwh8 https://t.co/HbPJMbPbnK
"The Eternal Memory" director Maite Alberdi talks about being honored at the Sundance Opening Gala and seeing the film's impact. | Variety On the Carpet presented by @DirecTV https://t.co/Jki3HquYrA https://t.co/WNnfZfEykN
Sundance Institute Board member Amy Redford reflects on 40 years of Sundance at the Opening Night Gala. | Variety On the Carpet presented by @DirecTV https://t.co/Jki3HquYrA https://t.co/riyCioCTw5
Sundance Institute CEO Joana Vicente reveals which films she's most excited for at the festival this year. | Variety On the Carpet presented by @DirecTV https://t.co/Jki3HquYrA https://t.co/qno9g0z6kT
Sundance Institute CEO Joana Vicente on honoring Christopher Nolan at this year's Opening Gala: "Everything started with 'Memento' here at Sundance, and he went on to do such incredible films." | Variety On the Carpet presented by @DirecTV https://t.co/Jki3HquYrA https://t.co/MHtqESOYO7
Sundance Institute CEO Joana Vicente reveals that the "Little Miss Sunshine" screening was most memorable for her. | Variety On the Carpet presented by @DirecTV https://t.co/Jki3HquYrA https://t.co/JKGN9kemcd
Variety's @angelique814 is on the black carpet at Sundance's Opening Night Gala in Park City, Utah. Stay tuned for interviews and much more! https://t.co/Jki3HquYrA https://t.co/a545ptCrWY