New York-born Alan J. Pakula has gone down in history as one of the most original and thought-provoking directors of American cinema. Coming from a family of Polish origin, Pakula started his career as a producer; Over time, he switched to directing and developed his own unique language. The director, known for his intertwining of tension, mystery and human psychology, has attracted attention with his productions that challenge the audience both mentally and emotionally. One of the turning points of his career was 1971's Klute. This thriller starring Jane Fonda permanently established Pakula's name in the world of cinema. These three films, along with The Parallax Mystery and All the President's Men, became known as the "paranoia trilogy". All the President's Men, which deals with the Watergate scandal, received full marks from critics and reached a wide audience in 1976. Sophie's Choice, which provided the basis for Meryl Streep's unforgettable performance, revealed Pakula's mastery of drama. The director, who continued his success in the thriller genre with productions such as Pelican File and Under Suspicion, remained productive until the end of his cinema career. Pakula, who died in a traffic accident in 1998, is still remembered with respect today for the deep traces he left on American cinema.