Elia Kazan
Film director · 4 films (1945–1957)
Elia Kazan is a director whose work here spans A Tree Grows In Brooklyn (1945) to A Face In The Crowd (1957), across drama and thriller. 2 of those films were photographed by Harry Stradling Sr.. The work runs nocturnal — 63% of frames across the 4 films indexed here, against 43% library-wide. All 220 frames from 4 films are indexed here, searchable by lighting, lens, shot size, colour and mood.
Elia Kazan was a Greek-American director and actor, described as "one of the most honored and influential directors in Broadway and Hollywood history". He also produced, and wrote screenplays and novels.
Born 7 September 1909 · Constantinople, Ottoman Empire [now Istanbul, Turkey] · died 28 September 2003
Directing style
Kazan's visual style relies on high-contrast black-and-white cinematography to construct tense, interior-dominated dramas and thrillers, frequently setting his scenes at night. He favors eye-level medium shots and closeups with a shallow depth of field, isolating characters against softly blurred backgrounds to amplify feelings of loneliness and apprehension. Lighting is motivated primarily by practical sources and windows, casting stark shadows that emphasize the psychological friction of the blocking.
Awards
- Academy Award for Best Director · 1955
- Academy Award for Best Director · 1948
- Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Drama · 1955
- Tony Award for Best Director · 1959
- Tony Award for Best Director · 1949
- Tony Award for Best Director · 1947
- Academy Honorary Award · 1999
- Donaldson Awards
- Directors Guild of America Award
- star on Hollywood Walk of Fame
- National Board of Review Award for Best Film
- Kennedy Center Honors
Films directed by Elia Kazan
About Elia Kazan
When was Elia Kazan born?
Elia Kazan was born on 7 September 1909 in Constantinople, Ottoman Empire [now Istanbul, Turkey] and died on 28 September 2003.
What films has Elia Kazan directed?
FrameThrower holds stills from 4 of them: A Tree Grows In Brooklyn (1945), A Streetcar Named Desire (1951), Baby Doll (1956) and A Face In The Crowd (1957).
What awards has Elia Kazan won?
Academy Award for Best Director (1955), Academy Award for Best Director (1948), Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Drama (1955) and Tony Award for Best Director (1959).
Search every frame of Elia Kazan’s films
All 220 indexed frames from 4 films directed by Elia Kazan — searchable by lighting, lens, shot size, mood or plain language.