Peter Balakian
FAIR LAWN, N.J.—On Thurs., Nov. 19, Peter Balakian will lecture on Elia Kazan and his 1963 Oscar-winning film “America, America” in an event jointly sponsored by AGBU Ararat, Armenian Network of America-Greater NY, National Association for Armenian Studies and Research (NAASR), St. Leon Armenian Church, and Tekeyan Cultural Association.
Balakian argues that Kazan’s depiction of the Armenian Massacres of 1896 following the Ottoman Bank incident is a landmark chapter in the history of cinema and in the history of the representation of the Armenians in the Ottoman Empire. “Kazan’s presentation of the plight of the Armenians and Greeks in Turkey is not only groundbreaking in the history of Hollywood cinema,” Balakian says, “but it has been ignored and misunderstood.” The presentation will be accompanied by a screening of the dramatic Armenian scenes from the film.
Balakian’s chapter on Kazan’s “America, America” is from his new book of essays, Vice and Shadow: Essays on the Lyric Imagination, Poetry, Art and Culture, which features pieces on Yeghishe Charents, Arshile Gorky, and Siamanto, as well as Bob Dylan, Hart Crane, Joan Didion, and others. Balakian’s new book of poems, Ozone Journal, was published simultaneously—both by the University of Chicago Press.
Balakian is Donald M. and Constance H. Rebar Professor in the Department of English at Colgate University. The lecture begins at 7:45 p.m. at St. Leon Armenian Church, 12-61 Saddle River Rd. in Fair Lawn. It is free and open to the public. A reception will follow the discussion and book signing. For more information, call (201) 791-2862.
Source: Armenian Weekly
Link: Balakian to Lecture on Elia Kazan, Hollywood, and the Armenian Genocide at St. Leon