Wanted to do another film with Fonda before I died: Redford

Veteran actor Robert Redford, who will be seen in the old-age romance "Our Souls at Night" with Jane Fonda, said he decided to do the film because he wanted to work with her one more time before he died.

The Netflix original drama, directed by Indian-origin filmmaker Ritesh Batra, brings the "Barefoot in the Park" co- stars together after a gap of 37 years.

Addressing reporters at the world premiere of the movie at Venice film festival, 81-year-old Redford said stories these days focused more on a younger audience. "Our Souls at Night" was a "story that will satisfy the older audience".
 

"I feel love stories always will have a life. (Also) I was looking to do another film with Jane. I wanted to do another film with her before I died. When this film came around, I thought here's a film that can satisfy our genuine age," the actor said at a press conference.

"Our Souls at Night" is a romance drama about two longtime neighbours who find love at a later stage in their lives.

Fonda, 79, who appears opposite Redford for the fourth time on the silver screen, praised the actor for his contribution to American cinema through Sundance Institute.

"When we worked together in 'Barefoot in the Park', Sundance Institute (started by Redford) was in its initial stages. I not only love and admire him as an actor and director-producer but this is a man who has had a profound effect on American cinema.

"I wanted to be able to spend time with him... Plus I wanted to be able to fall in love with him again. I always was in love with him... In all the movies I made with him," she said.

The duo have also worked in "Tall Story" (1960), "The Chase" (1966) and "The Electric Horseman" (1979).

Redford said when the project came about, he believed it was "a chance to maybe give an opportunity to Ritesh" to make the film.

Batra, known for his critically-acclaimed debut "The Lunchbox", said, "I did it for the honour of working with Robert and Jane. I'm also a big fan of the writer Kent Haruf (writer of the book on which the film is based)."

The film will be available on Netflix from September 29.