There are few genres likethe political thriller, the one thatblends conspiracies, shocking murders, and the fundamental building blocks of societyinto a mélange of terror, passion, and excitement. Hollywood has produced many fine examples, likeAll The President’s Men,The Day of the Jackal,andThe Ides of March.However, many of the great thriller directors in Hollywood learned great lessons from filmmakers elsewhere, particularly in Europe as well as the films of oneCosta-Gavras.
Though not a household name, the Greek-French writer and director has made some of cinema’sbest political filmsthroughout his career. His specialty is, without a doubt, filmsset in countries under dictatorships,such as 1972’sState of Siege,1982’sMissing(for which Gavras won the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay), andZfrom1969, which was his real breakthrough film.Ztells a fictionalized account of the assassination of Greek democratic politician Grigor Lambrakis and the military junta that thus took powerin Greece. Gavras' film is equal parts thrilling and bleak, representing his own view of theRegime of the Colonelsthat ruled Greece from 1967 to 1974.
In ‘Z’, Resemblance To Actual Events and Persons Is Deliberate
Zbegins with a title card stating that “any resemblance to actual events, to persons living or dead, is not the result of chance. It is DELIBERATE.” Arguably,no film has realisticallyset the tone betterthan that. Set in an unnamed Mediterranean country (but meant to be Greece), the film begins with an impassioned anti-leftist lecture by a military man (Pierre Dux) before moving to a hall where a pacifist leftist leader (Yves Montand) is due to holda rally advocating nuclear disarmament.Pamphlet distributors are attacked, the venue owner pulls out at the last minute, andfurther disruptions to the rally drive the leader to the street, where he is hit on the head with a club by a right-wing anti-communist protester, dying from the resulting injuries.
The examining magistrate (Jean-Louis Trintignant), put in charge of investigating the leader’s death, suspects foul play and, with the help of a photojournalist (Jacques Perrin), begins his inquiry. The hospital’s autopsy disproves the security police’s explanation for the leader’s death, and so the magistrate, solvingthe least mysterious mystery, hassufficient evidence to indict two militants and four high-ranking military officers. One of the leader’s associates breaks the good news to his widow (Irene Papas),who is nonetheless disheartened and does not believe that things will change. The film’s epilogue confirms her suspicions,leaving the film with a downbeat ending.
‘Z’ Walked So Other Thrillers Could Run
One of the most notable aspects of Gavras' film is the stunning score and soundtrack byMikis Theodorakis, one of the artists banned by the regime mentioned at the film’s end. Theheartbeat-like percussion slowly dials up the tensionthroughout, just like thesoundtracks of great horror films, dragging the viewer to the edge of their seat. The cinematography by frequentJean-Luc GodardcollaboratorRaoul Coutardis gritty and effective in how it captures the chaos of the story. The suspenseful storytelling,like a piece of great investigative journalism, creates a taut thriller unlike any other.
The 20 Best International Movies of All Time, Ranked
“Once you overcome the one-inch tall barrier of subtitles, you will be introduced to so many more amazing films."
Zwas first viewed in the U.S. by theBlack Panther Party in underground screenings, with obvious parallels between the film’s plot and the killing of their leader,Fred Hampton. Once viewed by critics,Zwas immediately praised. Eminent criticRoger Ebert, a man who easilyrecognized cinematic greatness,named it his favorite film of the year, noting how the film shows that “even moral victories are corrupted.” Gavras' film was nominated for Best Picture and Best Foreign Language Film at that year’s Oscars, the first such film to be nominated for both awards. Many political thrillers have come since, butnone have matchedZ’s level of intensity and its powerful political message.
Zis available to rent on Apple TV+ in the U.S.
The public murder of a prominent politician and doctor amid a violent demonstration is covered up by military and government officials. A tenacious magistrate is determined not to let them get away with it.
