with an introduction by Leandros Panagoulakos

“Any resemblance to real events, to persons living or dead, is not accidental. It is deliberate.”

With these opening words, the film makes its intentions clear. There is no attempt to disguise reality or soften its political message. Made in direct response to the Greek dictatorship of 1967–1974, Z is as much an act of political defiance as it is a film.

The film revolves around the murder of left-wing politician Grigoris Lambrakis. He was struck on the head twice during a peace rally on May 22nd, 1963, and died five days later. His funeral was attended by over 500,000 people who called for immediate change in the country. In the months following the assassination, judge Christos Sartzetakis (played by Jean-Louis Trintignant) took charge of the investigation. Despite severe pressure, death threats, and cover-up attempts from the ruling right-wing government and judicial establishment, he refused to back down.

The investigation and trial took over two years to conclude, with the accomplices either jailed, exiled, or sentenced to community service. This would not last long, however. In 1967, the Colonels and the military seized power in a coup, establishing a dictatorship that would last until 1974. The judge and those allied with Lambrakis were either jailed, exiled or killed.

Z is a look into the corrupt foundations of post-war Greece, the events leading up to the dictatorship, censorship, and American imperialism.

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