**Alan J. Pakula (1928-1998)** was an influential American film director, screenwriter, and producer, celebrated for his mastery of the psychological and political thriller genres.

He began his career as a producer, with a notable success such as *To Kill a Mockingbird* (1962). His renown as a director is inextricably linked to the 1970s "paranoia trilogy": *Klute* (1971), *The Parallax View* (1974), and *All the President's Men* (1976). These films explore themes of conspiracy, political corruption, and the vulnerability of the individual in the face of oppressive and invisible systems.

Other significant works include the intense drama *Sophie's Choice* (1982), for which he received an Academy Award nomination for his screenplay, and the legal thriller *Presumed Innocent* (1990). His style is characterized by escalating tension, a somber atmosphere, and meticulous attention to investigative details, making him a master of the cerebral thriller and psychological suspense.