Why the movie about this Greek Olympian’s killing was banned | ASSASSINS

Key Concepts

• Z (1969): A politically charged film directed by Costa-Gavras, based on the assassination of Greek activist Gregorius Lamraus, serving as a critique of the Greek military dictatorship.
• Costa-Gavras: Greek-French director known for political thrillers, considered the “father of the political thriller.”
• Mikis Theodorakis: Greek composer whose score for Z became a symbol of resistance against the dictatorship and a key element of the film’s Greek identity.
• Cinema Verité: A filmmaking style aiming for realism, often employing handheld cameras, natural lighting, and on-location shooting.
• Political Thriller: A film genre characterized by suspenseful plots centered around political intrigue, corruption, and power struggles.
• Diaspora: The dispersion of people from their original homeland, particularly relevant to the Greek community’s connection to Z.

The Political Context and Creation of Z

The film Z, released in 1969, was a direct response to the assassination of Gregorius Lamraus, a former Olympic athlete and peace activist, in Greece. Director Costa-Gavras intentionally created a “thinly veiled” fictionalization of Lamraus’s final days, openly attacking the far-right military dictatorship then ruling Greece. The film’s opening title card explicitly states that any resemblance to persons living or dead is “not coincidental, it is intentional,” signaling its overtly political nature. This bold stance led to the film being immediately banned in Greece, alongside political music (including the film’s score) and other forms of dissent.

Alexi Tolopoulos, a film critic and podcaster, highlights the film’s significance for the Greek diaspora, stating it provides a “visual language” for memories of the period, particularly for those who, like his family, were exiled due to the dictatorship. His mother, born in Greece during this time, found the film a way to understand and connect with those memories. In 1967, Tolopoulos’s family emigrated to Australia as a direct consequence of the political climate depicted in Z.

The Film’s Technical and Artistic Innovations

Costa-Gavras’s Z is considered a landmark achievement in filmmaking, particularly in the development of the political thriller genre. Paul Schrader, writer of Taxi Driver, praised the film for demonstrating that stylistic departures in art often arise from the necessity to convey a message that cannot be expressed through conventional forms.

The film’s cinematography, by Raoul Coutard (known for his work with Godard and Truffaut), is described as a “political camera.” Coutard, a former war photographer, employed a journalistic style characterized by handheld cameras, naturalistic lighting, and constant reframing. This approach, combined with fast-paced editing, created a sense of urgency and immediacy, resembling a news report rather than a traditional narrative film. Tolopoulos notes the film feels almost documentary-like in its realism.

The Power of the Score and Cultural Resonance

A crucial element of Z's impact is Mikis Theodorakis’s score. The music, deeply rooted in Greek folk traditions and political marches, is described as a “political declaration” in itself. Theodorakis’s music was also banned by the Greek government at the time, further amplifying its symbolic power. Tolopoulos emphasizes that Theodorakis is a “hero” to the Greek people, and his score is instantly recognizable as Greek, even to those unfamiliar with the political context. The government declared a three-day national mourning period upon his death in 2021, demonstrating his cultural significance. The score isn’t merely about the oppression; it emerges from it, adding layers of meaning and resonance.

International Production and Broad Appeal

Despite being about a Greek political situation, Z was filmed in Algeria in the French language due to Costa-Gavras’s exile from Greece. This deliberate choice, rather than explicitly identifying the setting as Greece, broadened the film’s appeal and allowed it to resonate with audiences worldwide. The film’s success included winning the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 1970, a symbolic “slap” to the Greek military junta.

Z’s Legacy and Contemporary Relevance

Z served as a foundational work for the political thriller genre, influencing films like All the President's Men and The French Connection. Tolopoulos argues that the film’s approach – presenting itself as a witness to events – is relatively rare but vital, particularly in contexts where filmmaking is dangerous and politically charged. He draws parallels to contemporary filmmakers like Jafar Panahi of Iran, who continue to create politically potent films despite facing censorship and imprisonment.

For the Greek diaspora, Z remains an essential cultural artifact, providing a visual memory of a traumatic period in their history. Tolopoulos’s mother’s experience of taking her daughter to see the film in 1970 illustrates its role in preserving and transmitting collective memory.

Notable Quotes

• Costa-Gavras (via Paul Schrader’s review): “New styles in art do not evolve simply because the time is right or because a particular artist chooses to explore new paths. But most stylistic departures seem to be pragmatic decisions. They occur when an artist realizes that he cannot convey his message in any of the conventional forms but must devise his own.”
• Alexi Tolopoulos: “Films like this exist as a visual cultural memory.”

Data and Statistics

• Z won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 1970.
• Mikis Theodorakis’s death in 2021 prompted a three-day national mourning period in Greece.
• The film was released six years after the assassination of Gregorius Lamraus.

Conclusion

Z is more than just a film; it’s a historical document, a political statement, and a testament to the power of cinema as a form of resistance. Costa-Gavras’s innovative filmmaking techniques, combined with Mikis Theodorakis’s powerful score, created a work that continues to resonate with audiences today, particularly within the Greek diaspora. The film’s legacy lies not only in its artistic achievements but also in its enduring relevance as a reminder of the importance of speaking truth to power. It stands as a crucial example of how cinema can serve as a witness to history and a catalyst for social change.