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Elia Kazan:
Director, productor y guionista nacido en Estambul, el 7 de septiembre de 1909 y educado en EE.UU. desde los cuatro años. En 1933 ingresó en el Group Theatre, del que sería una de las principales figuras, y estuvo en el partido comunista entre 1934 y 1936, lo que le ocasionaría ser citado en 1952 por la Comisión de Actividades Antiamericanas, a la que dio nombres de afines a la anterior organización; en 1947 fue cofundador del Actor's studio, y en 1955 inauguró las actividades de su compañía de producción Newton. Experto en la dirección de actores y aficionado a utilizar escenarios reales, se decantaría hacia el drama social, con paulatino incremento de ingredientes melodramáticos después de abandonar la 20th Century-Fox, su sede de los años. Compatibilizó su carrera en el cine con la, también brillante, de director teatral. Obtuvo el Oscar de realización por Gentleman's Agreement (1947, La barrera invisible) y On the Waterfront (1954, La ley del silencio), ambos galardonados como el mejor film del año. Y fue nominado por A Streetcar Named Desire (1951, Un tranvía llamado deseo) e East of Eden (1955, Al este del Edén), sin que se le seleccionara por Viva Zapata! (1952).
Gentleman's Agreement. Elia Kazan (1947):
[La barrera invisible] A fascinating and powerful story about a journalist (Gregory Peck), who poses as a Jew and encounters much hatred, The film, based on Laura Hobson's intelligent novel, was rather startling at the time of its release, and it's still compelling. Fine acting all around, with Celeste Holm outstanding as a lonely fashion editor. Participaron en el reparto John Garfield, Anne Revere, June Havoc, Albert Dekket, Jane Wyatt y Dean Stockwell. Oscars: película, director y actriz secundaria (Holm). Nominaciones: Peck, Dorothy McGuire (actriz principal) y guión (Moss hart). 118 min.
A Streetcar Named Desire. Elia Kazan (1951):
[Un tranvía llamado deseo] Brandon ins masterful in this Tennessee Williams story about a brute who's in conflict with his wife's neurotic sister, played by Vivien Leigh. The theme may seem dated, as Williams attempts to contrast the new cultural values (personified by Brando) with the decaying values of the Old South (Leigh), but the acting is among the best in American cinema history. Harry Stradling's on-location photography of a hot, humid New Orleans blends vividly with the sultry perfomances of the actors. Oscars: Vivien Leigh, Karl Malden, Kim Hunter. Nominaciones: película, director, actor, guión (Tennessee Williams) y fotografía. 122 min.
Viva Zapata!. Elia Kazan (1952):
Classic about Mexican peasant who becomes the president of his country during the Mexican Revolution. Brando plays Emiliano Zapata, and Anthony Quinn plays his brother. John Seinbeck's script is provocative without being preachy, and under Kazan's superb direction the agony as well as the glory of the revolution is cleary presented. Aparecen en papeles secundarios Joseph Wiseman, Arnold Moss, Frank Silvera, Margo y Mildred Dunnock. Quinn recibió el Oscar como secundario y fueron nominados Brando y Steinbeck por historia y guión. 112 min.
On the Waterfront. Elia Kazan (1954):
[La ley del silencio] Stark, powerful drama about corruption and despair among New York City longshoremen, brillantly conceived and capped with a terrific perfomance by Brando. His portrayal of the ypung stevedore who bravely expose the criminals who control the waterfront union is among the best of his distinguished career. Eva Marie Sants plays the girl he loves and Lee J.Cobb is Brando's waterfront boss. The pacing, the tense atmosphere, and the intelligent dialogue make for a powerful film. The screenplay by Budd Schulberg was based on series of newspaper articles about corruption in the longshoremen's union. Excellent supporting perfomances by Rod Steiger, Karl Malden, Pat Henning, and Leif Erickson. Academy Awards: best picture, best director, best actor, best supporting actress (Saint)Story and screenplay (Schulberg), cinematography (Boris Kaufman). Nominations: Cobb, Malden and Steigner. 108 min.
East of Eden. Elia Kazan (1955):
[Al este del edén] A splendid film version of John Steinbeck's novel, focusing on a teenager's torment over the lack of love from his father. James Dean proves his superb acting ability in this starring debut as the rebelious adolescent. Jo Van Fleet is also magnificent as the boy`s mother, who operates a brothel. Kazan, at the height of his career, directs method actor Dean and character star Massey with equal aplomb. también con Julie Harris, Richard Davalos, Burl Ives y Albert Dekker. Van Fleet recibió un Oscar y fueron nominados Kazan, Dean y Paul Osborn (guión). 115 min.
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