Watch A Letter to Elia

A Letter to Elia is a documentary film co-directed by Academy Award-winning filmmaker, Martin Scorsese, and Kent Jones. The movie is a tribute to the influential film director Elia Kazan, who directed some of the most significant films of the mid-20th century such as On the Waterfront, A Streetcar Named Desire, and East of Eden. Scorsese digs deep into his passion for Kazan's work, exploring his own personal connections with the director, as he attempts to shed light on the career of one of the most significant figures in American cinema.

Told from a personal perspective, Scorsese's approach is as much an autobiographical exploration of his admiration for Kazan as a critical analysis of his movies. Starting with his apprenticeship with Kazan and his first meetings with him, Scorsese goes back to Kazan's early career as a theater director and his contributions to the formation of the Actors Studio. The film then delves into Kazan's ground-breaking work in film, highlighting scenes and excerpts from his films and interviews with actors who worked with him.

One of the documentary's most powerful moments is Scorsese’s exploration of Kazan's controversial testimony before the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) during the McCarthy Era, where he named fellow Hollywood figures as former communist sympathizers. Scorsese attempts to evaluate the decision made by Kazan to comply with HUAC, a political move that caused a rift between him and many of his peers.

Throughout the documentary, Scorsese projects his admiration and respect for Kazan, and the love he has for movies in general. Like Kazan, he sees cinema as a way of connecting with audiences by creating truthful depictions of life that transcend times and cultures. The film examines Kazan's struggles and challenges, as well as his triumphs and successes, painting a picture of a man whose work continues to influence film-making today.

In between Scorsese's musings and critical thoughts on Kazan's work, the film includes interviews with many of Kazan's collaborators, including legendary actors such as Warren Beatty, Eva Marie Saint, Andy Griffith, and Patricia Neal, to whom Kazan was famously close. The documentary also features Kazan's family members, including his wife and children, who share their memories and unique insights into Kazan's work and personality.

One of the film's key themes is the conflicted relationship of Kazan with his Greek heritage. Though he grew up in the US, Kazan was keenly interested in his family's culture, and his experiences as an outsider in America informed much of his work. Scorsese uses his personal connections as a fellow Italian-American filmmaker to explore this idea, and to explain how Kazan's fascination with Greek theater and culture meshed with his own interests.

The film's conclusion brings the personal and political strands of Kazan's life together, as Scorsese examines Kazan's legacy, both as an artist and as a human being. Through the various perspectives presented throughout the film, viewers learn more about Kazan, his work, and his significance in the annals of American filmmaking. As the title suggests, the movie is a letter, a passionate tribute to a great director, but it is also an attempt to understand Kazan's work in a broader cultural context.

In all, A Letter to Elia is a poignant and insightful tribute to Elia Kazan, a man who's work and legacy continue to fascinate filmmakers and critics decades after his death. Scorsese, and co-director Kent Jones, have put together a compelling and insightful film that succeeds in capturing Kazan's essence and celebrating his artistry. The documentary is a must-watch for students of film, admirers of Kazan, and anyone interested in the history and social context of the classic era of American cinema.