''America America'' (British title ''The Anatolian Smile''—a reference to an ongoing acknowledgment of the character Stavros' captivating smile) is a 1963 American
drama film
In film and television, drama is a category or genre of narrative fiction (or semi-fiction) intended to be more serious than humorous in tone. Drama of this kind is usually qualified with additional terms that specify its particular super-g ...
directed, produced and written by
Elia Kazan
Elia Kazan (; born Elias Kazantzoglou ( el, Ηλίας Καζαντζόγλου); September 7, 1909 – September 28, 2003) was an American film and theatre director, producer, screenwriter and actor, described by ''The New York Times'' as "one o ...
, adapted from his own book, published in 1962.
Inspired by the life of his uncle, Avraam Elia Kazantzoglou, Kazan used little-known cast members, with the entire storyline revolving around the central performance of
Greek actor Stathis Giallelis, twenty-one years old at the time of production, who is in virtually every scene of the nearly three-hour movie. ''America America'' is one of
Martin Scorsese
Martin Charles Scorsese ( , ; born November 17, 1942) is an American film director, producer, screenwriter and actor. Scorsese emerged as one of the major figures of the New Hollywood era. He is the recipient of List of awards and nominatio ...
’s favorite films. In 2001, ''America, America'' was included in the annual selection of 25 motion pictures added to the
National Film Registry
The National Film Registry (NFR) is the United States National Film Preservation Board's (NFPB) collection of films selected for preservation, each selected for its historical, cultural and aesthetic contributions since the NFPB’s inception i ...
of the
Library of Congress
The Library of Congress (LOC) is the research library that officially serves the United States Congress and is the ''de facto'' national library of the United States. It is the oldest federal cultural institution in the country. The library is ...
being deemed "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant" and recommended for preservation.
Plot
In the late 1890s, Cappadocian Greek Stavros Topouzoglou (Giallelis) lives in an impoverished village below
Mount Argaeus in
Ottoman Turkey
The Ottoman Empire, * ; is an archaic version. The definite article forms and were synonymous * and el, Оθωμανική Αυτοκρατορία, Othōmanikē Avtokratoria, label=none * info page on book at Martin Luther University) ...
. The life of the
Cappadocian Greeks
Cappadocian Greeks also known as Greek Cappadocians ( el, Έλληνες-Καππαδόκες, Ελληνοκαππαδόκες, Καππαδόκες; tr, Kapadokyalı Rumlar) or simply Cappadocians are an ethnic Greek community native to the ...
and
Armenians
Armenians ( hy, հայեր, ''hayer'' ) are an ethnic group native to the Armenian highlands of Western Asia. Armenians constitute the main population of Armenia and the ''de facto'' independent Artsakh. There is a wide-ranging diaspora ...
of
Kayseri
Kayseri (; el, Καισάρεια) is a large Industrialisation, industrialised List of cities in Turkey, city in Central Anatolia, Turkey, and the capital of Kayseri Province, Kayseri province. The Kayseri Metropolitan Municipality area is comp ...
is depicted, including the
Derinkuyu Underground City
The Derinkuyu underground city (Cappadocian Greek: ''Malakopi''; tr, Derinkuyu Yeraltı Şehri) is an ancient multi-level underground city in the Derinkuyu district in Nevşehir Province, Turkey, extending to a depth of approximately . It is lar ...
traditional cliff cave dwellings in which Stavros' grandmother lives.
Stavros witnesses the
Hamidian massacres
The Hamidian massacres also called the Armenian massacres, were massacres of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire in the mid-1890s. Estimated casualties ranged from 100,000 to 300,000, Akçam, Taner (2006) '' A Shameful Act: The Armenian Genocide an ...
against Armenians which leave his friend, Vartan, dead. Vartan and Stavros had been planning to go to America together. Stavros is nearly imprisoned after trying to recover Vartan's corpse. Knowing that the Greeks won't remain safe from violence forever, the family sends Stavros to Constantionople. Stavros is entrusted by his father with the family's financial resources in a mission of hope to the Turkish capital
Constantinople
la, Constantinopolis ota, قسطنطينيه
, alternate_name = Byzantion (earlier Greek name), Nova Roma ("New Rome"), Miklagard/Miklagarth (Old Norse), Tsargrad ( Slavic), Qustantiniya (Arabic), Basileuousa ("Queen of Cities"), Megalopolis (" ...
(renamed
Istanbul
Istanbul ( , ; tr, İstanbul ), formerly known as Constantinople ( grc-gre, Κωνσταντινούπολις; la, Constantinopolis), is the List of largest cities and towns in Turkey, largest city in Turkey, serving as the country's economic, ...
in 1930), where he is to work in the carpet business of his father's cousin (Harry Davis), although his own dream is to reach the faraway land of opportunity – America.
His odyssey begins with a long voyage on a donkey and on foot through the impoverished towns and villages on the way to Constantinople. Out of his naivete, he loses all the money and arrives at the cousin's home penniless. The older man is deeply disappointed at this turn of events since he was counting on the infusion of funds to rescue his failing carpet store. Nevertheless, he attempts to salvage the situation by proposing that Stavros marry a wealthy merchant's (
Paul Mann
Paul Mann (December 2, 1913 – September 24, 1985) was a Canadian film and theater actor, as well as founder of the Paul Mann Actor's Workshop. His brother was the actor Larry D. Mann.
Biography
Mann was influential in developing the concept o ...
) young daughter (
Linda Marsh
Linda Marsh (born Linda Cracovaner; February 8, 1939) is an American actress of film, stage, and television. She was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for her performance in Elia Kazan's 1963 film ''America, America''.
Early years
Marsh was ...
). Stavros realizes that such a marriage would mean the end of his American dream and adamantly refuses, abruptly leaving the angry cousin.
Now homeless on the streets of the capital, Stavros survives by eating discarded food and working at backbreaking and hazardous jobs. After nearly a year of scrimping and self-denial, he has some savings, but his first sexual encounter with a young prostitute (
Joanna Frank
Joanna Frank (born Johanna Bochco; March 7, 1941) is an American actress.
Career
Her first role was in Elia Kazan's 1963 film ''America, America'' as the character "Vartuhi", and she also appeared in ''The Young Animals'' (1968) and the cult bi ...
) leaves him, once again, penniless. Sinking even lower, he now finds himself living in an overcrowded subterranean hovel, which becomes a scene of chaos and bloodshed when it is attacked with gunfire by authorities purportedly searching for anarchists and revolutionaries. Severely injured in the mayhem, the unconscious Stavros is thrown among piles of dead bodies slated for disposal into the sea. He subsequently topples from the cart transporting the bodies and painfully makes his way to the cousin's residence. The relative takes pity on the young man and allows him to recover at his home. Deprived now of all resistance, Stavros agrees to marry his intended bride. Upon being questioned by her regarding his moodiness, however, he admits that he still plans to emigrate to America, using the dowry money to pay for his passage.
At this point Stavros becomes reacquainted with Hohannes (Gregory Rozakis), a young Armenian, whom Stavros aided with food and clothing during his original voyage to Istanbul. Hohannes informs him that he is being sponsored to America by an employer seeking labor. Stavros manages to secure his own passage with the aid of the middle-aged wife (
Katharine Balfour
Katharine Balfour (February 7, 1921 – April 3, 1990) was an American actress and writer. Her best-known role was as the mother of Oliver, Ryan O'Neal's character, in the 1970 film '' Love Story'', as well as Sophia Kebabian in ''America, A ...
) of wealthy Armenian-American businessman Artoon Kebabian (
Robert H. Harris
Robert H. Harris (born Robert H. Hurwitz; July 15, 1911 – November 30, 1981) was an American character actor.
Stage
A veteran of the Yiddish Art Theater from his teens, Harris made his first Broadway appearance in 1937 in ''Schoolhouse on the ...
), a client of his prospective father-in-law. He tells his intended bride that he cannot marry her, and subsequently embarks on the voyage on board
SS ''Kaiser Wilhelm''.
There is, however, another major impediment. Kebabian, enraged to learn of a shipboard affair between his wife and Stavros, lodges a criminal complaint against him and rescinds his offer of a job in America, threatening Stavros with deportation back to Turkey. However, as everything looks bleak, Hohannes, who is discovered by the immigration services to be afflicted with
tuberculosis
Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease usually caused by '' Mycobacterium tuberculosis'' (MTB) bacteria. Tuberculosis generally affects the lungs, but it can also affect other parts of the body. Most infections show no symptoms, in ...
, jumps off the ship out of the realization he can never enter America. This sacrifice enables Stavros to take Hohannes' place.
With the climactic image of the
Statue of Liberty
The Statue of Liberty (''Liberty Enlightening the World''; French: ''La Liberté éclairant le monde'') is a List of colossal sculpture in situ, colossal neoclassical sculpture on Liberty Island in New York Harbor in New York City, in the U ...
as the boatload of immigrants docks in
New York Harbor
New York Harbor is at the mouth of the Hudson River where it empties into New York Bay near the East River tidal estuary, and then into the Atlantic Ocean on the east coast of the United States. It is one of the largest natural harbors in t ...
, Stavros puts his tribulations behind him, starting out as a shoeshine boy and gathering the pennies and dollars that will eventually bring his family to the land where their descendants, including Elia Kazan, will have the chance to fulfill their potential.
Elia Kazan's closing narration
"And he did bring them. It took a number of years, but one by one, he brought them here. Except for his father. That old man died where he was born.
"This film was made in Turkey and Greece.
"It was photographed by
Haskell Wexler
Haskell Wexler, ASC (February 6, 1922 – December 27, 2015) was an American cinematographer, film producer, and director. Wexler was judged to be one of film history's ten most influential cinematographers in a survey of the members of the Int ...
. It was edited by
Dede Allen
Dorothea Corothers "Dede" Allen (December 3, 1923 – April 17, 2010) This obituary incorrectly states that she was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, which was subsequently acknowledged in an online correction. was an American film editor, well-known " ...
. The production designer was
Gene Callahan
Gene Callahan (November 7, 1923—December 26, 1990) was an American art director as well as set and production designer who contributed to over fifty films and more than a thousand TV episodes. He received nominations for the British Academy Fil ...
. The costuming by
Anna Hill Johnstone
Anna Hill Johnstone (April 7, 1913 – October 16, 1992) was an American costume designer. Known for her collaborations with directors Elia Kazan, Sidney Lumet and Frank Perry, she received two Academy Award nominations for her work on '' The G ...
. The music was composed by
Manos Hadjidakis
Manos may refer to:
Films
* ''The Hands'' (Spanish: ''Las manos''), a 2006 Argentinean-Italian film
* '' Manos: The Hands of Fate'', 1966 horror film
Music
* Manos (band), German Black metal band
* ''Manos'' (album), by The Spinanes
Other use ...
. All under the management of Charles Maguire. And here are the actors:
Stathis Giallelis,
Frank Wolff, Harry Davis, Elena Karam,
Estelle Hemsley
Estelle Hemsley (May 5, 1887 – November 5, 1968) was a prominent early African American actress of stage and screen. She appeared in the stage and screen versions of ''Take a Giant Step'', earning a Golden Globe nomination for Best Suppor ...
, Gregory Rozakis,
Lou Antonio
Louis Antonio (born January 23, 1934) is an American actor and TV director best known for performing in the films '' Cool Hand Luke'' and ''America America''. He also starred in two short-lived TV series, ''Dog and Cat'', and '' Makin' It''.
Ear ...
,
Salem Ludwig,
John Marley
John Marley (born Mortimer Marlieb, October 17, 1907 – May 22, 1984) was an American actor who was known for his role as Phil Cavalleri in '' Love Story'' and as Jack Woltz—the defiant film mogul who awakens to find the severed head ...
,
Joanna Frank
Joanna Frank (born Johanna Bochco; March 7, 1941) is an American actress.
Career
Her first role was in Elia Kazan's 1963 film ''America, America'' as the character "Vartuhi", and she also appeared in ''The Young Animals'' (1968) and the cult bi ...
,
Paul Mann
Paul Mann (December 2, 1913 – September 24, 1985) was a Canadian film and theater actor, as well as founder of the Paul Mann Actor's Workshop. His brother was the actor Larry D. Mann.
Biography
Mann was influential in developing the concept o ...
,
Linda Marsh
Linda Marsh (born Linda Cracovaner; February 8, 1939) is an American actress of film, stage, and television. She was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for her performance in Elia Kazan's 1963 film ''America, America''.
Early years
Marsh was ...
,
Robert Harris,
Katharine Balfour
Katharine Balfour (February 7, 1921 – April 3, 1990) was an American actress and writer. Her best-known role was as the mother of Oliver, Ryan O'Neal's character, in the 1970 film '' Love Story'', as well as Sophia Kebabian in ''America, A ...
."
Cast
*
Stathis Giallelis as Stavros Topouzoglou
*
Frank Wolff as Vartan Damadian
* Harry Davis as Isaac Topouzoglou
* Elena Karam as Vasso Topouzoglou
*
Estelle Hemsley
Estelle Hemsley (May 5, 1887 – November 5, 1968) was a prominent early African American actress of stage and screen. She appeared in the stage and screen versions of ''Take a Giant Step'', earning a Golden Globe nomination for Best Suppor ...
as Grandmother Topouzoglou
* Gregory Rozakis as Hohannes Gardashian
*
Lou Antonio
Louis Antonio (born January 23, 1934) is an American actor and TV director best known for performing in the films '' Cool Hand Luke'' and ''America America''. He also starred in two short-lived TV series, ''Dog and Cat'', and '' Makin' It''.
Ear ...
as Abdul
*
Salem Ludwig as Odysseus Topouzoglou
*
John Marley
John Marley (born Mortimer Marlieb, October 17, 1907 – May 22, 1984) was an American actor who was known for his role as Phil Cavalleri in '' Love Story'' and as Jack Woltz—the defiant film mogul who awakens to find the severed head ...
as Garabet
*
Joanna Frank
Joanna Frank (born Johanna Bochco; March 7, 1941) is an American actress.
Career
Her first role was in Elia Kazan's 1963 film ''America, America'' as the character "Vartuhi", and she also appeared in ''The Young Animals'' (1968) and the cult bi ...
as Vartuhi
*
Paul Mann
Paul Mann (December 2, 1913 – September 24, 1985) was a Canadian film and theater actor, as well as founder of the Paul Mann Actor's Workshop. His brother was the actor Larry D. Mann.
Biography
Mann was influential in developing the concept o ...
as Aleko Sinnikoglou
*
Linda Marsh
Linda Marsh (born Linda Cracovaner; February 8, 1939) is an American actress of film, stage, and television. She was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for her performance in Elia Kazan's 1963 film ''America, America''.
Early years
Marsh was ...
as Thomna Sinnikoglou
*
Robert H. Harris
Robert H. Harris (born Robert H. Hurwitz; July 15, 1911 – November 30, 1981) was an American character actor.
Stage
A veteran of the Yiddish Art Theater from his teens, Harris made his first Broadway appearance in 1937 in ''Schoolhouse on the ...
as Aratoon Kebabian
*
Katharine Balfour
Katharine Balfour (February 7, 1921 – April 3, 1990) was an American actress and writer. Her best-known role was as the mother of Oliver, Ryan O'Neal's character, in the 1970 film '' Love Story'', as well as Sophia Kebabian in ''America, A ...
as Sophia Kebabian
Uncredited:
*
Giorgos Foundas
Giorgos Fountas ( el, Γιώργος Φούντας; February 13, 1922 – November 28, 2010) was a Greek actor in film and television.
Biography
Fountas attended the Dramatic School at the Athens Odeum. He appeared for the first time in t ...
*
Dimitris Nikolaidis
Dimitris Nikolaidis ( el, Δημήτρης Νικολαΐδης; 1922 – 21 January 1993) was a Greek actor.
Career
He was born in 1922 in Asia Minor and died in January 1993. His journey of life began on a ship that headed from Constanti ...
Awards and nominations
Production
The production, hampered by loss of its original financial backers, on-location hostility from Turkish authorities and onlookers, as well as other problems, continued into 1963. Powerful elements within Turkey came to be convinced that the country's national institutions and historical perspective upon turn of the 20th century events would be unfavorably portrayed by the Greek director and, when Kazan decided to transfer the troubled production to Greece, customs officials confiscated the cans of what they considered to be finished film, but owing to a prescient switch of labels between exposed and unexposed product, the valuable cargo survived.
Technical details, premiere dates and DVD release
''America America'' was filmed in 1.66:1 aspect ratio on 35-millimeter film and had its
New York
New York most commonly refers to:
* New York City, the most populous city in the United States, located in the state of New York
* New York (state), a state in the northeastern United States
New York may also refer to:
Film and television
* '' ...
premiere on December 15, 1963. Kazan makes a voice-only introduction during the opening scenes, a short voice-only epilogue in the closing scene, and a voice-over recitation of the lead actors and technical personnel of the film. It was filmed on location at the
Alfa Studios in Athens, Greece, as well in rural Greece, Istanbul, New York City, and at the Warner Bros. Studios in Hollywood. Between summer 1964 and spring 1965, it was seen in virtually every major
Western Europe
Western Europe is the western region of Europe. The region's countries and territories vary depending on context.
The concept of "the West" appeared in Europe in juxtaposition to "the East" and originally applied to the ancient Mediterranean ...
an city. Its VHS release came on November 28, 1994, and a
French (region 2) DVD boxed set (with Kazan's ''
Baby Doll
''Baby Doll'' is a 1956 American dramatic black comedy film directed by Elia Kazan, and starring Carroll Baker, Karl Malden, and Eli Wallach. It was produced by Kazan and Tennessee Williams, and adapted by Williams from his own one-act play '' ...
'' and ''
A Face in the Crowd'') was released on December 3, 2002. The film was finally released by Warner Bros. on DVD in the US on February 8, 2011.
Stebbins, Catherine. "Catherine Reviews Elia Kazan’s America, America " (''DVD Reviews, Reviews'', March 10, 2011)
/ref>
References
External links
*
*
*
*
*
* "''America, America''" essay by Daniel Eagan in ''America's Film Legacy: The Authoritative Guide to the Landmark Movies in the National Film Registry'', A&C Black, 2010. ,
pp. 595–596
{{Authority control
1963 films
1963 drama films
American black-and-white films
American drama films
1960s English-language films
Films about immigration to the United States
Films whose art director won the Best Art Direction Academy Award
Films whose director won the Best Director Golden Globe
Films directed by Elia Kazan
Films set in the Ottoman Empire
Films set in Istanbul
Films set in New York City
Films shot in Greece
Films shot in Athens
Films shot in Turkey
United States National Film Registry films
Films scored by Manos Hatzidakis
Warner Bros. films
1960s American films