America, America

Elia Kazan shot part of his epic film on location in Greece, which is most unusual for a film-maker who became great in Hollywood. (He wanted to film in his birthplace Anatolia, but armed conflicts between Turks and Greeks forced him to shoot in Greece.) He also used a cast of unknown actors, many not Americans (such as protagonist Stathis Giallelis).America, America is Kazan's film version of the story of his own family; Greeks who emigrated from Turkey to the USA around the turn of the century. The film is an homage to Kazan's people but also an attempt to evoke the feeling which led people from poor regions to emigrate filled with hope tomythical America. 'Like it or not we are a dream', Kazan once said to an American audience.