Welcome back to the final Letterboxd Map installment for 2025! We end the year with a trip to Algeria where we find a political thriller in… Z (1969).
Title: Z
Director: Costa-Gavras
Released: February 26, 1969 (France)
Runtime: 2 hours 7 minutes
Available to stream on: Criterion Channel and HBO
In an unnamed country, a left-leaning government deputy, Z (Yves Montand), is preparing to give a speech focusing on nuclear disarmament.
However, he’s informed that the hall he has reserved for the speech is no longer available. In fact, all of the spaces in town are conveniently unavailable for Z to book. Though it isn’t hard to figure out that the authoritarian government are the ones responsible for this. They’ve been putting pressure on the local venues behind the scenes.
Z refuses to take “no” for an answer. One way or another, he’s going to make his speech. Even if it means having to give an open air rally outside of the ballet. Despite threats on his life, Z and his team move forward.
Word gets out that this will now be an open air rally and attendance is high. Not only are supporters present, there are also a good number of right wing counterprotestors along with plenty of police in full riot gear.
After the speech, as he’s walking across the street, Z is attacked and killed.
The aftermath is absolute chaos with eyewitnesses contradicting each other with their recollections. Meanwhile, the government puts out its own theory that Z died in an unfortunate traffic accident.
In a land where authoritarianism reigns supreme, will the truth ever see the light of day?
Z (1969) is loosely based on the real life assassination of Greek politician Gregorios Lambrakis. In fact, we’re told in the opening credits that any similarity to real persons or events is intentional.
The way Z is shot makes it feel almost like a documentary. We’re following the events as they unfold in a procedural style. The information revealing itself through shifting perspectives, with each interview reframing what we see and understand about the assassination.
What makes this a bit of a depressing watch is how unfortunately relevant it feels in 2025. Far-right groups are on the rise, far-right parties are in power across the globe, and those groups want nothing more than to silence their opposition. If educated people get the truth out there, the regimes lose their power. Costa-Gavros shows us the extremes that they’re willing to go to in order to keep the opposition silent.
This is an incredible political thriller. If you have not yet seen Z (1969), I cannot recommend it enough.
If you have seen Z (1969), leave a comment below or reach out on Bluesky and tell me what you thought of it!
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