America America (Full Frame)

VHS, 177 minutes, WARNER

Young Stavros (Stathis Giallelis) will do whatever it takes to gain passage from Turkey to the United States. He's so single-minded he's gained a nickname. First name America, last name America. "America America." "I am a Greek by blood, a Turk by birth and an American because my uncle made a journey." The words are Elia Kazan's, spoken at the start of this masterful movie that chronicles his uncle's heroic quest - and movingly salutes the masses who sailed toward Miss Liberty's beckoning torch. "Actor's director" Kazan ("A Streetcar Named Desire") uses little-known talents here instead of casting stars. The results are impressive: Academy Award nominations (1963) for Best Picture, Director and Screenplay, an Oscar for Gene Callahan's vivid Art Direction and Golden Globe Awards to Kazan (Best Director) and Giallelis (Most Promising Newcomer). Both epic and intimate, "America America" remains, 30 years later, powerful filmmaking.