5 Reasons to Watch 'Z' (1969)

Costa-Gavras' terrific political thriller is one which doesn't get talked enough about; an Algerian-French collaboration focusing on an allegorical account of the assassination of Greek politician Grigoris Lambrakis, it presents it in a fictional narrative that shows the veiled assassination of a pacifist leftist government official (Yves Montand) and the subsequent investigation by an examining magistrate  (Jean Louis Trintignant). 

1. As a film buff, be an Oscar completist 

It was only the second film ever to get a Best Picture nomination, and won Best Foreign Language Film and Best Editing at the ceremony; especially at the time, this was a true rarity! 

2. As a film connoisseur, its technical excellence

Few films are edited as well as Z. It moves along so well and unlike many other similar political procedurals never gets bogged down in the details. It tells its story so well and concisely with such  flavour and even humour at certain points, and is honestly some of the quickest two hours you could spend with a film.  It's a film with a message to tell and delivers it so efficiently yet never in a workmanlike fashion. Plus, the score by Greek composer Mikis Theodorakis is so unconventional yet so catchy as well. 

3. As a citizen, its political themes and relevance

Z like any good political film has a message  and the director Costa-Gavras is clearly getting a point across of his anger and distaste for the political system of Greece at the time. What's great about the film is that even though it is largely a thinly fictional narrative you feel the weight of his opinions without it being stifling. The message comes across well as you feel the outrage not of the director, but of his characters at how the system tries to cover up the assassination as an 'accident'. Culminating in a downbeat yet brilliant ending that beautifully sums up what the director has to say on the topic. 

4. As a part of the present, a remembrance of the past

Sometimes films can feel dated. Not this one. It's timely as ever and its feelings and what it  depicts transfers brilliantly well to the modern day. 

5. It's just a great movie, period.