Z (1969)

In the throbbing heart of a mid-sized metropolis, under the iron fist of a right-wing military regime, a pacifist organization stirs, preparing to challenge the status quo. Their weapon of choice is not guns or bombs but the power of the spoken word, planning an anti-military, nuclear disarmament rally. The charismatic leader of the opposition party, known as the deputy, is set to descend upon the city from the capital, igniting sparks of change. Yet, beneath the surface of public dissent, whispers of an assassination plot threaten to extinguish the flame of hope. As the rally unfolds, the deputy falls victim to a violent incident, seemingly a drunken accident involving a three-wheeled kamikaze. However, the official report masks a sinister truth - a well-orchestrated murder by the secret police, likening the pacifist group to a mildew that threatens the nation's crops. As the city reels from the shocking event, a magistrate with a keen sense of justice is assigned to the case. While his own political views color his perspective, his thirst for truth is unquenchable. Amid murky political rhetoric and biased testimonies, he navigates the labyrinth of deception. Simultaneously, an ambitious photojournalist, his eyes set on a groundbreaking front-page story, is also on the hunt for the truth. In this northern Greek city, beset by political turmoil in the turbulent 1960s, the deputy's death becomes a symbol of national security concerns. The official cover-up commences with terrifying efficiency, but the magistrate and photojournalist persist in their pursuit of justice. Their mounting evidence suggests a chilling conspiracy involving senior police officials and right-wing extremists. Yet, unveiling the truth is one thing, exacting justice another. As the plot thickens, viewers are drawn into a gripping story of power, deceit, and the relentless quest for truth.

Z is a crime movie featuring Yves Montand and directed by Costa-Gavras.

Z is currently streaming on Criterion Channel.

It is also possible to buy Z on Amazon Video.