Title: America America /
Authors: Johnstone, Anna Hill, 1913-1992; Kazan, Elia,; Wexler, Haskell,; Ludwig, Salem, 1915-2007,; Wolff, Frank, 1928-1971,; Davis, Harry, 1907-1993,; Karam, Elena,; Hermsley, Estelle,; Rozakis, Gregory,; Antonio, Lou, 1934-; Marley, John,; Frank, Joanna, 1941-; Chatzidakēs, Manos, 1925-1994,; Kazan, Elia.
Year: 1963
Subjects: Emigration and immigration Economic aspects; Rogues and vagabonds Drama.; Poor families.; Greeks Foreign countries Ethnic identity.; Police; Youth; Criminals Drama; Adultery Drama; Man-woman relationships; Greeks Turkey Drama.; Political violence; Prostitutes Turkey Drama.; Corruption.; Villages Turkey; Soldiers Drama; Waterfronts; Women Turkey Social conditions.; Self-preservation Drama.; Turkey Social life and customs Drama.
Abstract: Based on the director's uncle, Avraam Elia Kazantzoglou's experiences as a young man, this film follows the chaotic events in the early life of Stavros Topouzoglou as he formulates a plan to escape Turkey and emigrate to the United States. While selling ice in their village in central Turkey, Stavros and an Armenian friend witness a Turkish mob attack their Armenian and Greek neighbors. As he tries to stop the killing taking place inside a Greek church, Stavros is arrested by the Turkish authorities. Disgusted by the oppression and the desperate poverty that he sees everywhere, Stavros begs his grandmother to give him the money he needs to travel to America. His grandmother refuses, but gives him a knife and tells him that if he is going to America this is what he will need. By the time Stavros reaches Istanbul where he hopes to sail for America, he is in a state of abject poverty. The young man works as a laborer on the docks of the city for months in order to save the money he needs to board a ship for New York. Kazan's voice over tells us that his uncle ultimately succeeded in emigrating to the United States and eventually brought his entire family with him. Elia Kazan's depiction of the oppression experienced by the Greek community of Cappadocia is remarkable not only for its authenticity, but for the almost documentary quality of its dramatic scenes. Stathis Giallelis, who appears in virtually every scene of the nearly three hour movie, prepared for the role for 18 months. The twenty-two year old, who had never acted before when he was hired to play the role of Stavros in Kazan's film, won a Golden Globe for his performance.