Remembering Elia Kazan
January 29, 2004
The death of Elia Kazan on September 28, 2003, marked the end of one
of the most distinguished careers in American film and theater. Kazan,
who had just celebrated his ninety-fourth birthday, was the subject
of a 1971 retrospective at MoMA, and he remained an active friend
and supporter of the Department of Film and Media. This screening
of America America (1963) is dedicated to his memory. Kazan
was the leading interpreter of the works of both Arthur Miller and
Tennessee Williams. As a graduate of the Group Theater and a founder
of the Actors Studio, he displayed a unique talent for shaping powerfully
moving performances. With the Oscar-winning success of Gentleman’s
Agreement (1947), Kazan became the hottest director in Hollywood.
He went on to make A Streetcar Named Desire (1951), On
the Waterfront (1954), the highly underrated Wild River (1960), and The
Last Tycoon (1976).
Organized by Charles Silver, Associate Curator, Department of Film
and Media.
. 1963. USA. Written and directed
by Elia Kazan, based on his novel. With Stathis Giallelis,
Frank Wolf, Gregory Rozakis. Taken from the first of Kazan’s
best-selling novels, America America was the director’s most personal
film, and arguably his best. It tells of his Greek uncle’s
epic journey from Anatolia to the New World. 168 min.
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