Review of Z (1969) by Eric F — 11 Nov 2009

"Z" begins with this message: "Any resemblance to real events, to persons living or dead, is not accidental. It is DELIBERATE." Rarely today do we see a film with such fiery passion, such outrage. Even now, four decades removed, it's a film that makes you want to storm out of your house and pump your fists in protest.

On May 22nd in 1963 Greece, Gregorios Lambrakis, a leftist politician, was assassinated by a right-wing organization. His murder was hidden under the guise of a traffic accident, but soon an investigator discovered inconsistencies in the lazy cover-up. Despite the chilling reveal, however, justice was still not served: the muscle behind the operation received lengthy prison sentences, while the brains quite literally got away with murder. "Z" fictionalizes the events, but there are more than enough clues to read this as a not-so-loose parallel to the Lambrakis assassination: typewriters, for instance, are in Greek.

In the film, legendary actor Yves Montand ("The Wages of Fear") plays the leader of the opposition party in Greece. He's murdered within the first third of the film, leading to the rapid-paced investigation so well constructed that "Z", today, seems to be of another world.

The film serves as a bit of a cautionary tale. Democracy, here, is fragile: fascism has found it's way into the political system. Any point of view that directly opposes the majority rulers will simply have to be silenced.

What makes "Z" hold up is not only it's passionate outrage, but director Costa-Gavras' grace in telling the story. The film is divided into three equal parts, each paced frantically and with visual splendor. The end of the film, which quite literally turns a happy ending into a tragedy, is a blatant slap in the face to the audience - a wake up call.

Political thrillers today go easy on the politics and ramp up their gunplay and star power. "Z" is a powerful reminder of film as a method of protest - a film that thoroughly explores the artform. With today's entertainment being largely dispensable, it's a pleasure to watch a film with so much passion clearly present behind the camera.