Z
Dir: Costa-Gavras
France/Algeria, 1969, French, 127mins, DCP
Cast: Jean-Louis Trintignant, Yves Montand, Irene Papas
In a fictional nation, its right-wing military government uses pro-establishment thugs to violently silence its critics. When a deputy of the opposition is assassinated by such thugs, a magistrate uncovers a conspiracy that goes all the way to the top – and the military will use every trick it has to keep the truth sealed. Costa-Gavras’ thinly-fictionalised and furious attack at the junta that ruled his home nation of Greece following the assassination of an opposition political figure, Z is an engrossing political thriller about the absurdly desperate measures taken by an authoritarian regime for the sake of clinging to power. In a world embroiled in political activism and repression, Z continues to strike a nerve around the globe today.
Cannes Film Festival: Jury Prize and Best Actor
Academy Awards: Best Foreign Language Film and Best Film Editing