"Elia Kazan's partnership with the Un-American Activities Commission for 'witch hunts' was undoubtedly a reprehensible act from which the filmmaker has never unburdened himself. Nevertheless, this ordeal of accusations provoked an even more determined struggle by Kazan to make good cinema, in order to vindicate the position that his colleagues denied him". This is how Efrén Cuevas, professor at the School of Communication of the University of Navarra, spoke about the figure of this film director in the presentation of his book, "Elia Kazan", published by the publishing house Chair.

According to the author, Elia Kazan struggled for many years to integrate into American culture. "After being born into Turkey's minority Greek population and immigrating to the United States at the age of four, he felt like an outsider in the country that welcomed him. After reaching the top in Hollywood, he again felt rejected by accusations."

Professor Cuevas wanted to analyze the thematic and stylistic characteristics of the author of films such as 'East of Eden' or 'America, America'. "His works are characterized by the search for a realism, in the scenarios and characters, not existing in Hollywood until then; by overdramatization; by the treatment, in his first films, of social problems such as racism; and, mainly, by addressing conflicts of staff identity".

Some of his best-known films deal with the problem of identity crisis: "The protagonists want to give meaning to their lives, and they are usually helped by much more assertive female characters".

But the most important legacy that the director has left in the American industry has been "impressive actors such as James Dean or Marlon Brando. Kazan was especially good at selecting and directing actors, who might not have emerged without him".

The book now published arose from the doctoral research of Efrén Cuevas. The professor of the School of Communication of the University of Navarra wanted to focus his work on post-war cinema, the years in which Kazan, who directed his films between 1945 and 1976, stood out. The author of the book highlighted two works among Kazan's extensive production. On the one hand, 'America, America', in which he talks about himself and his migratory conflict. In addition, he pointed out 'Wild River', which brings together a trio A actors: Montgomery Clift, Lee Remick and Jo Van Fleet.

Juan José García Noblejas, professor at the University of Navarra, and Francisco Javier Zubiaur, director of the Museum of Navarra, also participated in the presentation of the book. For the former, "this work allows repeated readings, like the works of Elia Kazan". About the director, he said that "it dealt with the nuclear themes of the human condition with clarity".

For his part, Professor Zubiaur pointed out that "it was necessary for someone to write about Kazan, an author who has been anathematized for many years". He also pointed out that the biographer was mainly "a director of actors" who was ahead in the treatment of sensitive issues such as "homosexuality or the Vietnam conflict".