Z (1969)

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Synopsis
Z is one of the most politically insightful films ever made, exposing government hypocrisy and cover-up in the wake of a political assassination. Zei (Yves Montand) is a scientist who is scheduled to give a speech against the use of the atomic bomb. On the way to the event, he is attacked outside the auditorium by a group of right-wing extremists with political ties to the government as the police stand by and do nothing to intervene. He recovers long enough to make the speech but is later clubbed again and must undergo several surgeries, then dies during one of the procedures. A newspaper reporter finds a witness to the event and a judge willing to hear the case despite government protests. The ensuing trial reveals a government conspiracy, but the results of the trial are thrown out when a new government is formed by a military coup, which results in the intolerance that outlaws long hair, The Beatles, and any peaceful protests. Director Costa-Gavras used actual trial transcripts of the investigation into the May 22, 1963, assassination of Greek pacifist leader Gregoris Lambrakis, which proved a government conspiracy in his death. Yves Montand gives the best dramatic performance of his life, and Irene Papas stars as his wife, Helena. Z won the Oscar for Best Foreign Film of 1969, was 14th in terms of box-office success, and hit an international nerve in the age of social unrest, government cover-up, and political assassinations. All those involved worked on the film for a reduced rate with an option for royalties based on earnings at the theater window. The letter Z in the Greek alphabet means "he is alive." ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide

Production Crew

Jacques D'Ovidio	Art Director
Vassili Vassilikos	Book Author
Raoul Coutard	Cinematographer
Mikis Theodorakis	Composer (Music Score)
Piet Bolscher	Costume Designer
Costa-Gavras	Director
Françoise Bonnot	Editor
Bernard Gérard	Musical Direction/Supervision
Ahmed Rachedi	Producer
Jacques Perrin	Producer
Costa-Gavras	Screenwriter
Jorge Semprun	Screenwriter

Genre
Thriller

Awards
1969 - Best Film - British Academy Awards
1969 - Best Film - National Society of Film Critics
1969 - Best Film - New York Film Critics Circle
1969 - Best Foreign Film - Foreign Language - Golden Globe
1969 - Best Foreign Language Film - Academy
1969 - Best Picture - Academy
1969 - Jury Prize - Cannes International Film Festival
1969 - Jury Prize - Cannes Film Festival
1969 - Best Picture - New York Film Critics Circle
1969 - Best Foreign Language Film - Academy
1969 - Best Picture - Academy
1969 - Best Film - British Academy Awards
1969 - Best Picture - Academy
1969 - Best Picture - British Academy of Film and Television
1969 - Best Foreign Language Film - Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie
1969 - Best Picture - Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie
1969 - Best Picture - Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie
1969 - Best Foreign Film - Foreign Language - Hollywood Foreign Press Association
1969 - Best Picture - National Society of Film Critics

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Charles Denner	Manuel
Yves Montand	The Deputy
Irene Papas	Helene, the Deputy's wife
François Perier	Public Prosecutor
Jean-Louis Trintignant	The Magistrate
Jacques Perrin	Photojournalist

Z (1969)

Rent it, watch it, find it

Cast

Production Crew