Z

Recently I has heard in news on the Euronews TV-channel that Jorge Semprún has died. I do not know, whether there was a similar message in news on the central Russian television channels: I do not look them because of continuous propagation. But I suspect that was not.

Fairly I admit, during the first moment name of Jorge Semprún has told me nothing. But then the announcer began to list his merits and inter alia has mentioned the award Oscar for the scenario for film «Z» directed by Costa-Gavras. Here I have pricked up the ears, as I remember that this film is present at my list of 1,000 Best Movies. However, up until that time I did not watch this film, and if so – it is necessary to watch it.

When I have started to watch this film, I have understood at once, why I it did not see it earlier. Actually, I think, the majority of so-called «the mass cinema-goers» in Russia had not watched this film. Unless any perfect film maniacs and film experts were honoured … The matter is that this film has been released in 1969 and was demostrated on cinema-screens in the majority of the countries in 1970, and in a leading role – Yves Montand. Does this combination of these dates and this name tell anything to anybody?

All is very simple. In 1970 Yves Montand, until considered as the great friend of Soviet Union for support of suppression of the Hungarian revolt of 1956, has played in the other Costa-Gavras’ film – “L’aveu” (“The Confession”). This film, which scenario has also been written by Jorge Semprún, has been based on a real history of Czechoslovak communist Artur London and showed on an example of a drama of one person all terrible essence of a totalitarian regime, with all unattractiveness baring suppression consequences of the «Prague spring» by the Soviet tanks. Naturally Yves Montand has been declared as the person non-grata in the USSR. Films with his participation, records of songs and other have been forbidden for 15-20 years, prior to the beginning of “perestroika”, at least. Well, and when ideological interdictions of a Soviet period have been removed, the film «Z» has passed into the category “retro”. Besides by that moment screens of the Russian cinemas were filled with mainly American mass-produced cinema-items.

The first thought which has visited me after viewing of this film now, was: «This film is about the contemporary Russia indeed!»

Well, really: the same hypocrisy and lie of the authorities, the same receptions of struggle against heterodoxy by a way of inciting bandits…

To speak shorter, if you wish to watch a film about modern Russia, - look a film «Z». Though, I’m ready to argue, it hardly will be shown at cinemas or on the central television channels. And definitely not because Yves Montand, as well as his wife – great actress Simone Signoret – has expressed solidarity with organizers and participants of the «Prague spring». Absolutely for other reasons. Are there other opinions?