Martin Scorsese has co-directed the documentary, A Letter to Elia, which unfolds as an intensely personal and deeply moving tribute to the multiple Oscar-winner (Gentleman’s Agreement, On the Waterfront).
Grade: B (***1/2* out of *****)
Scorsese was “captivated” by Kazan’s films as a young man, and the documentary mirrors his own life story while he also credits Kazan as the inspiration for his becoming a filmmaker.
As co-directed by Kent Jones and Scorsese, it follows the life and career of film director Elia Kazan and how he influenced Scorsese.
The short feature (only 60 minutes) is made from clips from films, stills, readings from Kazan’s autobiography, a speech he wrote on directing that is read by Elias Koteas, a videotaped interview done late in Kazan’s life, and Scorsese’s commentary on and off screen.
Accolades
It won a Peabody Award in 2010.