"I've been reading my dad's movie scripts since I was a kid," said James Redford about his behind-the-scenes education. A screenwriter by trade, James is the son of actor/director Robert Redford. In his latest project The Kindness of Strangers, James Redford assumes a different role. This time, as executive producer. The subject matter of the feature-length documentary film, organ donation and transplantation, hits home for the 37 year old.

1987 was a tough year for Redford. That's when he was diagnosed with primary sclerosing cholangitis. "I was basically told that if I didn't get a liver transplant...I would probably die," said Redford. Five years later, Redford's health had deteriorated. So, in 1993 he received his first organ transplant. Then came another blow. There were complications. Before long, Redford was back on the critical list.

"My father was just about to start filming Quiz Show. He flew in right after my emergency surgery. When it was clear that I had a tough road ahead. He said, 'Look, I can shut down this production in a minute'." James thought about the offer. But, he quickly said, "No." Remarkably, the young screenwriter's thoughts were with the film's crew. "Being a screenwriter, I understood the importance of getting a project made," said Redford. "I couldn't bear knowing that 150 people were out of work . . . because of me."

Quiz Show went into production, as Redford's liver continued to deteriorate. "I basically went into denial. I was hoping that some cure would come along. But, inevitably, I reached the end stage of liver disease," said Redford who received a second (successful) transplant four months later.

Making The Kindness of Strangers, is one way Redford has given back to the medical community that gave him a second, then a third, chance at life. The film was directed by Maro Chermayeff, and co-produced by Christine Le Goff. It was most recently screened at the Philadelphia Festival of World Cinema, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. There, 139 films from 40 countries around the world were shown.

Redford's film follows the true stories of organ donors, their families, and the recipients. Truthful, gripping, and sometimes graphic real-life emotions surface without pretense. Chermayeff's camera moves quickly between hope and despair, life and death. Viewers are given intimate access, into private lives. And yet, Chermayeff's lens is never intrusive. There's no attempt to make a political statement. Instead, the character's true life experiences are permitted to speak for themselves. From its inception, Redford and Chermayeff agreed to keep an unbiased eye. "Aren't we all getting tired when an agenda creeps into something. Quickly, one shuts off emotionally from the manipulation," said Redford about keeping the piece honest.

The Kindness of Strangers premiered at The Telluride Film Festival in 1998, and went on to win the coveted Crystal Heart Award at the Heartland Film Festival. The film was also shown at The Sundance Film Festival. Sold to HBO, it will make its television debut in the fall of '99. Jane Balfour Films Limited, of London is currently working on foreign distribution.

Other upcoming projects of Redford's include: Hearts and Bones, his original screenplay now in post-production with Neverland Films. The picture stars Keifer Sutherland and Darryl Hannah. Currently, Redford is adapting Tony Hillerman's Skinwalkers for South Fork Pictures. Redford is the Founder and President of the non-profit, James Redford Institute for Transplant Awareness. The organization's goal is to raise awareness concerning organ and tissue transplantation and donation.

"I'm no different from most organ recipients. Most of us desire to give back in some way," added Redford.

Editor's Note: Jamie Redford has joined the Hollywood, Health & Society Advisory Board. Launched in April 2002, the Hollywood, Health & Society is a new program at USC Annenberg's Norman Lear Center that provides entertainment industry professionals with accurate and timely information for health storylines.

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