![]() In little more than a half century, it appears as if the tables have completely turned with the European slide to Socialism. From the vantage point of present day, it's interesting and quite odd that the film makers viewed America and Russia almost as allies in the unnamed country's quest to maintain a right wing government against a popular opposition. They refuse the use of a meeting hall citing safety violations, and stand in the way of any meaningful attempt by a magistrate (Yves Montand) to uncover facts in the case. One recognizes the typical gambits employed by those holding power. For fair minded people of any nationality, the events in the story will leave one just as outraged as the film's director, as it tries to depict an unsuccessful cover up of a political murder on the part of both civil and military authorities, who were the target of a favored opponent attempting to rally his followers for an upcoming election. Watching the film requires a fair amount of concentration, not only to follow the captions, but to try and keep straight the multitude of characters, many of which are introduced without names, so you have to keep tabs on them only by their appearance. It expresses director Costas Gavras's rage over the military junta that ruled the country at the time. The film is French, but it presents a thinly fictionalized account of the events surrounding the assassination of the democratic Greek politician Grigoris Lambrakis in 1963. Reviewed by classicsoncall 8 / 10 "We must preserve the healthy parts of our society, and heal the infected parts." Thrown into the mix is a photojournalist who too is looking for the truth, as it, he believes, will make a great front page story. Although he does have political views, he is more interested in finding out the truth, and as such has to wade through the political rhetoric and politically motivated testimony he hears. In reality, the deputy's death was murder orchestrated by the secret police, the general for who likens the pacifist organization to mildew killing off agricultural crops. The official report is that the incident was a drunken accident. The rally does happen, after which a three-wheeled kamikaze runs over the deputy, who eventually passes away from his injuries. Beyond the problems arranging the rally due to the probable incitement of violence at such a rally, the organization learns of an unconfirmed report that there will be an attempt on the deputy's life. The organization's charismatic leader - the deputy - is scheduled to arrive in the town from the capital the day of the rally. In a mid-sized metropolis (population 500,000) in a right-wing military led country, a pacifist organization, which supports the opposition party in the government, is planning on holding an anti-military, nuclear disarmament rally. ![]()
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December 2022
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