Kathryn Bigelow Reveals the Visionary Who Shaped Political Thrillers
Kathryn Bigelow credits Costa-Gavras and his 1969 film Z for revolutionizing the political thriller, describing his influence on cinema as unmatched.
Few filmmakers have left as lasting a mark on the industry as Kathryn Bigelow, the first woman to ever win the Academy Award for Best Director. Her career, spanning from the early 1980s, has been defined by relentless innovation and a fearless approach to storytelling. With films like Point Break, Strange Days, The Hurt Locker, and Zero Dark Thirty, she’s built a reputation for crafting intense, gripping stories that often draw from real-world events. Her work is known for its raw energy and often explores themes typically associated with male directors, making her achievements all the more remarkable.
During a 2025 visit to the Criterion Closet, Bigelow offered a rare look into the films that have influenced her own creative journey. After mentioning classics like Detour by Edgar G. Ulmer, The Battle of Algiers by Gillo Pontecorvo, and Straw Dogs by Sam Peckinpah, she paused to highlight a director whose impact on the genre is, in her words, “like none other.” She recounted a recent encounter with Costa-Gavras, the Greek filmmaker behind the 1969 film Z, and told him directly that he had essentially invented the political thriller.
“I love Costa-Gavras,”
she said, emphasizing the unique place his work holds in film history.
Redefining the Political Thriller
Before Z, movies about political scandals and authoritarian regimes certainly existed, but Costa-Gavras’s approach was groundbreaking. Z, a French production, offered a thinly veiled depiction of the American-supported military junta that controlled Greece in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The film drew direct inspiration from the 1963 assassination of leftist activist Gregoris Lambrakis. Its documentary- like style thrusts viewers into the chaos of protests, police confrontations, and the violence faced by those seeking peace. The film’s tension is relentless, and its attention to the slow, methodical workings of politics and the legal system sets it apart from anything that came before.
Most of the story centers on the murder of a prominent left-wing politician, played by Yves Montand, and the prosecutor determined to uncover the truth behind the crime. Yet, it’s the final minute of the film that delivers the most chilling impact, leaving audiences with a sense of dread that lingers long after the credits roll.
A Bold Statement Against Oppression
Living in France as an expatriate, Costa-Gavras made no attempt to disguise the real-life events his film portrayed. Z opens with a bold statement:
“Any resemblance to real events and dead or living people is not a coincidence. It is INTENTIONAL.”
The film was a direct challenge to the regime it depicted, so much so that it was banned in Greece. More than fifty years later, its realism and intensity remain undiminished, and it still packs a punch for viewers willing to confront its truths.
In 1970, Z made history as the first film to be nominated for both Best Picture and Best International Feature at the Oscars, ultimately winning the latter. Its influence can be seen in the work of directors like Bigelow, who have continued to push the boundaries of the political thriller, drawing on real events to create stories that resonate with audiences around the world.