Welles on Kazan
Added 2022-11-03 21:24:24 +0000 UTCYa'll seen this?
Comments
I fully agree. And yes, today the controversies would be a soap opera. The extremism of opposition also makes things incredibly toxic all around. But yes, I appreciate Welles saying what he said, while also agreeing that yes...he is a great director. And that often complicates things.
Deepfocuslens
2022-11-07 20:48:14 +0000 UTCI still remember when the Oscars gave him a lifetime achievement award in 1999 and the shitstorm that stirred up. All kinds of talk was being had about the situation (what Kazan’s legacy was, separating the art from the artist, etc.). Even then I was ambivalent about the award, and I’m usually all for separating the art from the artist. He sold out a lot of people and ended their careers, and I knew some who were related to those who were blacklisted that hated the decision. But yes, he was also a brilliant director who was instrumental in the rise of Method naturalism in the 40s and 50s, giving Brando, Dean, Karl Malden and, shockingly, Andy Griffith some of their finest moments on film. So yeah, a lot to weigh on either side. But regardless, I’m very grateful that the situation didn’t play out in today’s climate, with ideologues and social media present to inflame the controversy. There was plenty of chatter back then about the award, both amongst insiders and in the trades. Today the noise would be unbearable and maddening. If you want an example of how a controversial, politically charged moment was handled on TV back then, go watch the clip of Kazan receiving his award on YouTube. You will see some people in the audience making a point of giving him a standing ovation, others sitting in stone-faced silent protest refusing to acknowledge the honor. It’s actually quite a beautifully civil moment of people expressing their differences, and relatively quaint. Nowadays there’s every possibility that someone would rush the stage and assault the man. More than anything, I think it’s important to look back on that moment for Kazan and see its lasting consequence. Which is to say, nothing significant. Yes, he was given an award that night and celebrated, and dissenters may be right to be angry at that. But ultimately, it didn’t change anything for Kazan. It didn’t rehabilitate his image. He’s still remembered equally for his HUAC testimony as for his brilliance as a director. I think that should be taken into consideration for any one who is confronted with a similar moment in the future (believe me, it will happen again) as to how far he or she should take their anger. Perspective should be gained on past events in order to learn what battles should be fought now. But I know, given how people online feed off of their negative emotions, that that’s not going to happen anytime soon. Here’s the clip: https://youtu.be/3YziNNCZeNs
Bennett Oliver
2022-11-03 23:33:00 +0000 UTCNow I have. Totally get his POV since I believe he was accused at one point of being a communist and gay during that time. Like Mateusz says, credit to him for being able to separate his accomplishments as a director while pointing out his faults as a person.
Stephen
2022-11-03 22:13:00 +0000 UTCEven a simple distinction between "he's a traitor" and "he is a very good director" is unimaginable in today's era. Kazan in 2022 would be cancelled, despite his record as an artist. Still it's all about perception of the history. Time gap between mentioned Wells view and HCUA testimony of Kazan is almost the same (30 years) as our view on Wells Parisian meeting with students till today (40 years).
Mateusz
2022-11-03 21:43:39 +0000 UTC
