Rory Kennedy and Mark Bailey at the Sundance opening gala on Thursday.
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Last October, White House nominee Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced his decision to switch parties in his presidential bid by leaving the Democratic Party and running as a third-party independent. The move was quickly denounced by members of his own family, including Oscar-nominated documentary filmmaker Rory Kennedy, who released a family statement along with her siblings.
“Our brother Bobby’s decision to run as a third-party candidate against Joe Biden is dangerous for our country. Bobby may have the same name as our father, but he does not share the same values, the same vision, or the same judgment. Today's announcement makes us deeply saddened. We condemn his candidacy and believe it is dangerous to our country,” read the Instagram post, signed by Rory Kennedy, Kerry Kennedy, Joseph P. Kennedy II and Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, a group that totals four Ethel and Kathleen Kennedy's eleven children include Robert Kennedy.
Rory happened to be at Sundance on Thursday night, where caught up with her on the red carpet before the Sundance Institute Opening Gala. Asked about the statement, a rare move for the Kennedy siblings, Rory reaffirmed the bond she shares with her brother and explained why she felt “forced” to speak out, “which I didn't really want to do.”
“I love Bobby, but I think his campaign and his run for president will have more appeal [Joe Biden] voters, and I'm worried it will lead to that [Donald Trump‘s] Choice,” explained Rory, who was also joined at the event by husband Mark Bailey. “I think it was important to make that statement honestly to let people know that his views don't necessarily represent the views of everyone in our family, and that there are some of them who are pretty far out there. I wanted to put on record that I disagree with both points [the views] and the campaign.”
Asked if her feelings had changed since Trump emerged victorious in the Iowa caucuses, Rory said: “I'm deeply concerned about where this country is going and that we could elect Trump again.” I think there will likely be fewer than 100,000 votes and in a few states it could be even fewer. Every voice counts, so I felt compelled to speak out, which I didn’t really want to do.”
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“I love Bobby, but I think his campaign and his run for president will attract more Biden voters, and I'm worried that will lead to the election of Trump,” Rory Kennedy told me of the decision last night to denounce RFK Jr.'s campaign last October. pic.twitter.com/U9SyfsxUUy
— Chris Gardner (@chrissgardner) January 19, 2024
Her appearance happened to come hours after published a cover story by senior writer Seth Abramovitch that featured Cheryl Hines, wife of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Both are interviewed in the article, which also details their reactions to the siblings' statement.
Abramovitch asked Hines if the infighting ended the family reunion. “No, no,” she said. “It all goes on.” Although it doesn’t seem as regular. “I think organically, what's going on in our lives doesn't always fit with what's always been going on in their lives. Right now we are in a different orbit.”
She continued about her husband: “He has no hard feelings, which is admirable. Because he knows that at the end of the day it is difficult for them – and for many reasons. You didn't ask for it. But just by being related to him, they are involved. I think that’s a challenge for people.”
Robert Kennedy Jr. said he sees his family all the time. “I just got back from a ten day family ski trip with Cheryl. I mean, listen, I grew up in an environment where we were raised to argue passionately with each other and still love each other. I feel like my family loves me. My family consists of 105 members and many of them actively support my campaign. And there are a small number who have criticized me – and that’s fine.”
Back to Rory. She was happy to discuss the reason she's back at Sundance this year for the world premiere of her four-part HBO series The Synanon Fix. “This is about the first drug treatment program in the United States. It started in Santa Monica in 1958. It was a residential program that helped hardened drug and heroin users, and it grew into what some call a cult. “So it's really about how it's evolved over a couple of decades,” Rory explained of the plot.
As for attending the festival again, the filmmaker admitted that she was jumping up and down with excitement. “I love Sundance and was thrilled to get the call. I jumped up and down when I got the call, just like the first time. It's such an exciting moment, and it's exciting because you're coming here, you're going to be with a dedicated audience, with a group of people who really care about the film.”
Your history with the festival goes back several decades. “The very first film I brought here was called American Hollow and I was 28 years old. It really helped me advance my career,” she said when asked about her favorite festival memory. “Then I would say my film Ethel about my mother. We came here with this film and there were probably 70 family members in attendance, many of whom were seeing it for the first time. My mother was here too. It was a moment I will always remember.”
Sundance takes place January 18-28. “The Synanon Fix” premieres January 21 at the Prospector Square Theater in Park City.