Z ( French - 1969 )

A fast paced political thriller based on true facts                                                              .

The movie “Z” (Yes, it’s the title) a French language film. Although it is in French the story is based on the actual events happened in Greece (1963). Directed by Costa-Gavras. Thanks for World Cinema Fan who recommended this film.

Plot

The country is under right-wing party (verge of military rule). The opposition party (Communists) is about to held a demonstration under their leader Grigoris Lambrakis. The police instead of protecting the meeting from the hoodlums just act as a spectator. Right after the meeting, Grigoris is fatally hit by a thug riding on a cab. The police make the case as accident, but as Judge Christos Sartzetakis (Jean Louis, remember his recent film Amour) take over the case, he finds it is a pre-planned incident (Grigoris dies) with the help of a local newspaper reporter.

Jean Louis as Judge Christos

It is a political thriller. Usually this genre is slow, but the way it is shot is different and so we can’t put it in any style. There are no slow paced shots, everything is fast. The flashbacks go in-and-out in flash cuts. The music is crisp and apt to the shots right from the title, in few scores they had used Tabela an Indian Hindusthani instrument.

Watch the title shots..

In some films, we see the movie adores itself, like if there is smart character\scene\camera work, the director prolongs the shot for an extra second or two. Since being a fast paced film “Z” doesn't admire itself, but as audience we applaud it. 

Ending (Spoilers)

After the upright investigation by Judge Christos, we see the culprits are punished, but as anywhere in the world only “low thugs” got jailed for few years! and those who (ministers & top cops) plotted the incident were just reprimanded. 

Notable lines -  Always blame the USA, even if you are wrong!

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**Pics taken from Wikipedia and videos from Youtube.