Director Elia Kazan and playwright Arthur Miller were once close friends and professional colleagues, with similar political views reflected in their work. Kazan was a Communist Party member in the 1930s, while Miller was not an official member. However, their relationship changed when Kazan testified before the House Un-American Activities Committee in the 1950s, naming names of supposed friends, including Miller. This move was seen by many as an act of support for the Committee's blacklisting and a self-preserving measure for Kazan's directing career.
American Masters
The origins of the blacklist are explored in the movie, shedding light on the significant impact of prominent Red Scare figures and their far-reaching effects on those forced to testify and the US political scene.
