America America

• OSCAR WINNER:
• Best Art Direction

Elia Kazan’s own words begin the saga of young Stavros (Stathis Giallelis), who leaves his war-torn homeland behind to begin a new life in the land of the free. With his family’s meager fortune and his father’s blessing, Stavros encounters both allies and adversaries on a dramatic trek. He ultimately achieves his dream through sheer determination and will, thereby earning his nickname: America America.

Saluting the masses who sailed toward Miss Liberty’s shining torch, Kazan chose to use little-known talents here rather than stars; and the results were impressive, including Academy Award nominations for "Best Picture," "Director" and "Screenplay," and an Oscar win for Gene Callahan’s vivid Art Direction. Both epic and intimate, America America is powerful moviemaking at its best.