America, America

US (1963): Drama

Filmmaker Elia Kazan based this film on the early life of his Greek-immigrant uncle. Stavros Topouzoglow is the young immigrant (played by Stathis Giallelis), whose starry-eyed impressions of America are soon compromised by reality. Despite the casual cruelties, betrayals, and career setbacks, Stavros forms strong and lasting friendships which help him weather the worst.

An Oscar® went to the painstakingly accurate art direction of Gene Callahan. Despite moments that are not suitable for children, America, America won a rare "bell-ringer" rating from the high-school oriented Scholastic magazines back in 1963; in the years since, it has become a stalwart of the classic movies cable service. (Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide)

 View the original theatrical trailer for this film on YouTube.com.


· Art Direction/Set Decoration (Black and White) 1963: Gene Callahan - Art Direction


· Best Picture 1963: Elia Kazan - Producer (Athena, Warner Bros.)
· Directing 1963: Elia Kazan
· Writing (Story and Screenplay written directly for the screen) 1963: Elia Kazan

4 nominations, 1 Award