Elia Kazan: An Outsider (1982)

Introduction and Synopsis
"Elia Kazan: An Outsider" is an informative 1982 documentary that investigates the life and career of the renowned yet questionable American director, Elia Kazan. Directed by Annie Tresgot, the documentary followed Kazan's personal and professional journey, his notable contributions to the film and theater markets, and his controversial political associations that stimulated widespread disputes.

Personal and Early Life
The documentary explores the personal life of Elia Kazan, spotlighting his birth in Constantinople (now Istanbul), his childhood experience of immigrating to America, and his Greek-Turkish heritage. Kazan dealt with id while growing up in a foreign land, which greatly affected his fixation on styles of non-conformity and alienation in his works.

Profession Overview
The movie describes Elia Kazan's comprehensive profession in the performing arts, covering over various effective movies and plays. Credited with presenting movie theater to a new, more modern kind of acting, Kazan was the driving force behind the creation of the Actors Studio and the introduction of 'Method Acting'.

The film acknowledges Kazan's substantial contributions including his enduring classics like 'A Streetcar Named Desire', 'On the Waterfront', 'East of Eden', and many others. Kazan is credited with mentoring and bringing prominence to legendary stars like Marlon Brando and James Dean. The documentary showcased clips from Kazan's critical works, focusing on his ingenious cinematic design and his proficient storytelling capabilities.

Political Controversy
The documentary highlights the political controversy that overshadowed Kazan's profession. In the 1950s, during the period of McCarthyism, Kazan affirmed before the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC), naming 8 of his former associates as members of the Communist Party. This led to huge reaction, causing lots of in Hollywood to sever ties with him. This debate stayed a significant taint on his otherwise renowned profession, dividing opinion on his legacy.

Reflection on Legacy
In "Elia Kazan: An Outsider", Kazan noted his sensations of exemption from Hollywood following the backlash versus his political action, hence the film's title. The movie records Kazan's awareness of his outsider position within his own industry, showing his consideration near completion of his life.

Conclusion
In summary, "Elia Kazan: An Outsider" serves as an informative picture of Kazan's life and work, stressing the intertwining of his individual experiences with his expert contributions. The film does not shy away from talking about the long lasting debate surrounding Kazan's political choices, showing the juxtaposing views on his tradition. The documentary provides a thorough and well balanced representation of Elia Kazan, commemorating his tremendous contributions to theatre and film, while likewise acknowledging his questionable choices that marked him as an outsider.

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