Edward Norton Calls ICE an “Illegal Army” During Sundance

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Attendees at this year’s Sundance Film Festival are protesting the actions of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) following two recent deaths. On January 7th, Renée Good was fatally shot by ICE agents after attempting to drive away following their instructions. Days later, intensive care nurse Alex Pretti intervened when agents pushed a woman to the ground, and was then shot by fellow ICE officers after they reportedly took his licensed firearm. Both incidents have sparked national outrage.

During an interview with The Hollywood Reporter at a festival in Utah, actor Edward Norton (The Invite) touched on the current state of the world. When asked about making small talk, he said:

Recently, people have been expressing concerns about the potential for excessive force against American citizens, even comparing it to the actions of the Gestapo. While we discuss entertainment, some believe a private, unauthorized force is being prepared to act against US citizens.

He attended the Sundance Film Festival to showcase his new drama, which features Olivia Wilde (who also directed and stars), alongside Seth Rogen and Penélope Cruz. The film, titled The Invite, is a reimagining of the Spanish comedy The People Upstairs. Wilde shared details with Variety while on the red carpet, saying:

It’s wonderful to be here celebrating the power of film, but we can’t ignore the pain and struggles happening in the world and in our country. It’s unacceptable to simply accept violence as normal. We shouldn’t become desensitized to seeing tragedies online. If we can use this platform to support efforts to dismantle ICE and condemn their harmful actions, that’s a responsibility we should take seriously.

This feeling was similar to what Natalie Portman, an Academy Award winner, expressed at the debut of her film, The Gallerist.

A Quick Protest Erupts in Park City


Warner Bros.

Over the weekend, around 100 people protested on Main Street in Park City as part of a campaign called ‘Sundancers Melt ICE,’ as reported by Deadline. Among the demonstrators was actor Elijah Wood, known for his role in The Lord of the Rings, and they were chanting, “Love melts ICE! Love melts ICE!”

The 44-year-old expressed sadness about the recent shootings in Minnesota, noting the contrast with the unifying spirit of the film festival where they were speaking. They highlighted that the festival is about bringing people together and sharing stories from around the world, emphasizing a sense of unity. Actress Natasha Lyonne, known for her role in Poker Face, has announced another protest will take place at the same location tonight, January 26th, at 10pm local time.

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U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), formed in 2003, handles immigration law enforcement, safeguards national security, protects the public, and investigates crimes – its officers are not authorized to use deadly force.

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2026-01-26 22:18