Kristen Stewart made a splash at the opening night of the 2024 Sundance Film Festival, garnering attention for her edgy style and heartwarming reunion with former co-star Jesse Eisenberg. Stewart, known for brooding, indie films like “Personal Shopper” and mainstream blockbusters like “Twilight,” has cemented her status as a versatile and visionary performer.
Stewart Debuts Bold New Hairstyle
Stewart arrived at the festival’s opening night gala in Park City, Utah debuting a dramatic new hairstyle – micro-bangs and an asymmetrical bob. She paired the eye-catching locks with a head-to-toe Chanel ensemble, including a tweed jacket, sparkling bodysuit, and leather pants. Stewart is a long-time muse for the French fashion house.
Her daring mix of sweet bangs and vampy rocker style certainly turned heads on the red carpet. According to E! News, Stewart’s new hairstyle “perfectly aligned with her bold fashion”, while Marie Claire called it her “coolest look yet.” Stewart seems primed to continue pushing style boundaries.
Reunites with Adventureland Co-Star Jesse Eisenberg
While her bold fashion made waves, Stewart also grabbed attention for her affectionate reunion with “Adventureland” co-star Jesse Eisenberg. The 2009 indie comedy-drama marked one of Stewart’s first major roles outside the “Twilight” franchise.
Thirteen years later, Stewart and Eisenberg walked the Sundance red carpet together to celebrate Eisenberg’s directorial debut “When You Finish Saving the World.” According to People, Stewart was “beaming” as she reunited with her former on-screen love interest.
In a video interview, Stewart gushed, “I love that guy…it’s cool to see him in his director shoes.” Meanwhile, Eisenberg praised Stewart as “the greatest actress of her generation.” Clearly, the duo remain supportive friends.
| Film | Year | Stewart’s Role |
|---|---|---|
| Adventureland | 2009 | Em Lewin |
| When You Finish Saving the World | 2024 | N/A |
Receives Visionary Award
Beyond her attention-grabbing style and sweet reunion, Stewart’s acting achievements were honored when she received the Sundance Institute’s Visionary Award. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the award “celebrates an artist whose exceptional talent, dedication and independence personifies the spirit of Sundance.”
Stewart was recognized not only for her daring, intriguing film choices, but also for moving behind the camera. She made her short film directorial debut in 2018 with “Come Swim” and is currently seeking financing for her first feature film as director.
In an interview with The Hindu, Stewart explained her draw to complex, character-driven stories:
“I only want to tell really honest stories about marginalized people…I want to tell the stories of people that I know very well and I want to get inside and underneath the way they think.”
Helps Kick Off Star-Studded Festival
Stewart’s high-profile appearance helped ring in the start of the prestigious indie film festival, which runs January 18-28 in Park City. The opening night gala brought out plenty of Hollywood star power beyond Stewart.
Robert Downey Jr., Regina Hall, Jonathan Majors, and Haley Lu Richardson were among the stars walking the red carpet and celebrating some of the year’s buzziest indie films. Sundance founder Robert Redford also made an appearance, while Christopher Nolan and Jodie Foster collected awards.
In an opening night address, Redford emphasized Sundance’s ongoing commitment to spotlighting risky, unconventional stories:
“At a time when extremism seeks to extinguish open debate, arts matter more than ever.”
In addition to screenings and parties, the festival features panel discussions on hot topics like diversity and music in film. After two pandemic-impacted years forced Sundance to go mostly virtual, 2024 marks a triumphant return to in-person events and buzzing crowds.
Over 120 feature-length and short films will premiere, sparking inevitable studio bidding wars over breakout hits. Based on Stewart’s enthusiastic appearance, she remains as much a champion of independent film as ever:
“I love being here…I swear every inch of my heart is in this.”
What’s Next
With a new hairstyle making waves and rumors she has two films premiering at the festival, Stewart seems poised to continue pushing creative boundaries at Sundance and beyond. She just wrapped shooting on “Love Lies Bleeding” with A24, the indie studio behind critical hits like “Everything Everywhere All At Once.”
She also has two major festival films in post-production that could potential premiere at Cannes or Venice later this year. It will be exciting to see if Stewart debuts any new films at Sundance first.
Additionally, /Deadline Hollywood/ speculates that Stewart’s next moves could include more than just acting:
“Kristen Stewart is potentially being eyed to direct three features over the next two years, so her visionary mentality will clearly transfer behind the camera too.”
After years starring in small indies and blockbuster franchises, she has undoubtedly solidified herself as a versatile, intriguing actress. But her passion for complex characters and risky stories shines through, whether she is acting in or directing a film.
With her directorial debut still seeking financing and new acting projects on the way, Kristen Stewart remains an independent, visionary player shaking up Hollywood on her own creative terms.
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