Masters: Costa Gavras
Compartiment tueurs / The Sleeping Car Murder
France 1965, 95’
Gavras’ first important movie, Agata Christie’s “Murder on the Orient Express” — like thriller. After a murder has been committed in a train to Paris, police open the inquiry. Subsequent passengers die in mysterious circumstances, and the investigation becomes more and more intricate.There is nothing in “The sleeping Car”, though, that could link the deaths. How will the investigation end?
Z
France, Algieria, 1968, 127’
The film, shot in the hot year 1968, is still fascinating, and still causes fear, since, although the action takes place in an unspecified location in southern Europe, the plot is based on a true story. It is a timeless parable depicting mechanisms of corruption and morality: when Z (played by unforgettable Yves Montand) becomes involved in the political game, he, just like protagonists of the Shakespeare’s dramas, will have no bearing on the events. The film was, not without reason, awarded with two Oscars, whereas the unforgettable, vibrant soundtrack has moved people till today.
État de siège / State of siege
France, Italy, Germany 1973, 120’
Again — a political game based on true story, and again Yves Montand starring. In “State of Siege”, as in any classic crime story, the opening scene is placed in Urugwai where police finds a body of an American citizen. It seems that the left-wing conspiracy group “Tupamaros” had abducted him by mistake. Soon, it turns out that the man was not chosen at random, and his influence on the future of the country was to be greater than anyone could imagine…
Desaparecido / Missing
USA 1982, 122’
When a young American writer disappears in Chile in mysterious circumstances, his father embarks on the search for him. Being a conservative and a patriot he tries to act in line with the U.S. foreign policy and attempts not to incur the foreign government displeasure. It all changes when he discovers that his quest causes a disturbance. The Academy Award and Palme d’Or for the duo Gavras and Lemmon speak for themselves.
Music Box
USA 1989, 122’
In this Golden Bear winning legal drama, Gavras touches upon extremely sensitive topic of the World War II. An American court summons a citizen of Hungary who has lived in USA for many years. The case dates back to almost 50 years before, which becomes a precedent. When he is accused of collaborating with the Nazis, a young, popular lawyer decides to defend him. The case becomes complicated to a great extent by the fact that she is… his daughter.
La Petite Apocalypse
France, Poland, Italy, 1993, 110’
In this co-produced (among others by Poland) film, Gavras balances on the edge of drama and… black comedy. As a result of a funny coincidence, two characters, convinced that their friend — Stanislaus — committed suicide, decide to make a fortune on his death. It turns out, however, that the allegedly deceased man feels well. The film was starred by: Beata Tyszkiewicz, Kazimierz Kaczor and Anna Romanowska.
