Page Two THE MICHIGAN DAILY Tuesday, March 10, 1970 Page Two THE MICHIGAN DAILY Tuesday, March 10, 1970 cinema: By NEAL GABLER Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is dead. The FBI closely watched his activities, tapped his phone, spread scurrilous rumors; but they didn't save his life. Joseph Yablonski is dead too. Despite the repeated pleas of his sup- porters following an attempt on his life, the government did nothing. Now they are investi- gating the union election-now, when it is too late. Fred Hamp- ton is dead. The police only wanted to search his apartment. They didn't have any tear gas, so they used bullets. All three cases are shocking, but none is totally surprising. In some nook or cranny of our bureaucracy, someone c o u l d have anticipated, perhaps even prevented, what happened, and. in at least one case there are those who believe the death directive came from the govern- ment itself. Once the crimes are -committed all we can do is give an anguished cry for justice. Instead of justice, Ray sits in his cell concealing God knows what. Tony Boyle conducts his own investigation and the Chi- cago police go their merry blood- stained way. All the while the system beams, "Justice has been done." Of course, for many of us this is not justice but pacification. A culprit has been apprehended, trouble has been avoided, the American Way is preserved, and the blacks and the miners won't epen remember the mess a year from now. It would be quite wrong, however, to view the de- fenders of this system as devil's cinematic chronicle of justice' DIAL 662-6264 LAST 2 DAYS SHOWS AT: 1:15-3:45-6:20 and 9:00 P.M. henchmen. It is probable that John Mitchell really and truly believes he is acting justly, only his conception of the word dif- fers vastly from ours. The question of "What is Jus- tice?" has plagued man since the time of Socrates, and it is this question that Z, now play- ing at the Campus Theater, tries to resolve. The film tells the story of the assassination on May 22, 1963, of Gregorios Lam- brakis, a Greek opposition leader and of the subsequent investiga- tion of his death. More than this, it is the story of the pur- suit of justice against over- whelming odds and the fierce battle for Truth. There are two contesting for- ces; two conceptions of justice striving for primacy. On one side are the colonels and their satraps, operating on the prin- ciple of raison d'etat-our ac- tions-are their own justification. They are guided by expediency. not maliciousness. After all, if Papadopoulus IS the State, how can he wrong the State? On the other side is the Op- position. They realize that jus- tice is meaningful only when it has an existence separate from the State. Unlike the informer who says he opposes communism because "in Russia everything belongs to the State," they un- derstand that in Greece, and in America as well, the one most important thing, Right, does be- long to the State to be dispensed at the whim of the politburo. It is the inisfortune of gov- ernment leaders everywhere that s o m e m i n or functionaries haven't yet been imbued with the spirit of raison d'etat. The investigator (Jean-Louis Trin- tignant) of Lambrakis' "acci- dent" merely does his duty with probity and fairness, unaware that he has been delegated the task of covering the govern- ment's tracks. But it is fairness that is the enemy to the self- styled duces. As one of them says after new evidence has been introduced, "There is j u s t enough to cause trouble." When trouble threatens, fairness isn't fair and justice isn't just. In the unraveling of the. crime the very nature of film as a series of still photographs plays a prominent role. Director Constantin Costa-Gavras uses the montage of the assassina- tion, with its objectivity, as a kernel of truth in the sea of lies. First we see it as it really hap- pened; then, we see a colonel's version; finally, we see it in slow motion so that we can see un- mistakably the crushing blow. We are the only ones who know what actually occurred, and it makes us a party to the quest for Truth. There are other uses of film as a continous string of images. X-rays are the key in revealing that a blow had been struck and that death was no accident. Photographs are also used to finger the criminals. And, )sig- nificantly, it is a photographer ala Blow-Up who braves the stormy waters of intrigue with his Nikon. Witnesses can lie, but Costa-Gavras never leaves his audience in doubt-the photo images tell all. One of the fascinating things about the film is its brilliant blend of objectivity and passion. Like Battle of Algiers and Easy Rider it arouses intense emo- tions. But unlike those films it never allows its politics to de- stroy its message. If you think Battle of Algiers is a glorifica- tion of violence, where were you during the last five minutes when the Algerians spontane- ously demonstrate for freedom years after the terrorism has ceased? If Easy Rider is a lat- ter-day Intolerance, why are Billy and Wyatt s-o-o-o Amer- can? The problem with these ear- lier films is that many of us identify so strongly with the op- pressed Algerians and the slaughtered cyclists that we naturally see them as Good while their opponents are Evil, even though this easy dichotomy undermines these films' pre- mise; politicization will do that to you. Z carefully uses politici- zation to its advantage. Most of the audience will side with the Opposition not because Yves Montand is an "Olympic cham- pion, a doctor, a university pro- fessor and an honest politician." That's all very nice, but few of us identify with saints. Rather, his group appeals to us because they are Leftists struggling agaist fascism. They wear their politics like the cowboy of yore wore white hats. Although they wear peace arm-bands, it would be an error, I think, to regard Montand and his crew as the heroes in this piece. Doubtless they are good, but they never quite rise to any- thing more than a Steve Reeve's heroism. Nor does the investi- gator win our affection, even if he wins our admiration; he is an instrument of the law. The real hero is the idea of freedom that underlies the film, and it is this concept, as played out in the arena of human events, to which I was attached. Liberty as hero is given a foil in repression. There are many despicable miscreants afoot, and even the assassins' names Yago and Vago have an evil ring thanks to Shakespeare. These know-nothings seem to get an unbridled delight in cudgeling the innocents of the Left. But they are unthinking pawns manipulated by the higher-ups. They arouse our ire only be- cause, as victims and tools of nationalism, they personify the system we so hate. Thus unencumbered by the necessity to create a human hero and villain, and relying on our asociation of Left with Good, the picture is able to zip along at the dizzying pace of o rocket sled. Make no mistake - Z is a first-rate thriller guaranteed to have you gnawing your knuckles. And there is more involvement than in Hitchcock. because more is at stake than the vindication of Gary Grant or Jimmy Stew- art. Justice itself is threatened, and the whole of government leadership is the stalking mur- derer. As a political thriller Z is one of the most unnerving, exhaust- ing films I've ever seen. Much of its power comes from its rele- vance to our situation. Although set in Greece, it has its silent majority, its Nixon, its Agnew, its Mitchell. It also has its hon- est men who speak of State and justice as distinct entities and without whom total defeat would be certain. As it is, the wrong- doers are indicted. The Opposi- tion screams,' "A real revolu- tion! The Government will fall!" Lambrakis' widow is less exul- tant. She knows better. On April 21, 1967, democracy ended in Greece. A. I A mmA A II n,¢'.. ,: .. . f / I LI I r I -I I I I I kRool 00 rl L I I k I -II 1I,.1 . 3 NIGHTS BON4NIE AND CLYDE starring WARREN BEATTY and FAYE DUNAWAY directed by ARTHUR PENN (Alice's Restaurant) I I DAILY OFFICIAL BULLETIN TUESDAY, MARCH 10 Day Calen1dar Center, for Continuing Education of Women Seminar: "Working With the Culturally Disadvantaged..In t 1h e S~ihodls", 330 Thompson St., 9:30 a.m. Nat. Resurces Let.:Dr. A. Larkin, U of British Columbia, "The Science CGouncil of: Canada. and It's Work on Problems of Environmental Manage- ment": Rackham Amph., 3:00 p.m. Computer, Info. & Control Engin. Seminar: John Hopcroft, Cornell U., "Mipimization of Arithmethic Opera- tions": 1504 E. Engin., 4:00 p.m. Dept. of Hist. of Art. Lect., Ellen Johnson, Oberlin Coll., "Oldenberg's Analogues, Metomorphoses and Sourc- es". Aud. B. Rngell Hall, 4:00 p.m. Computer -& Communic. Sci. Seminar: Shen Lin, Bell Tel. Labs, Inc., N.J., "Heuristic Techniques for Solving Large Combinatorial Problems on a Com- puter", 4051 LSA, 4:00 p.m. Dept. of Near Eastern Lang., & Lit.: Zwerdling Lect. in Old Testament Stu- dies: Robert Gordis, Temple U., "The Nature of the Massoretic Texts in Light of the Qumran Scrolls" 182 Physics- Astronomy Bldg., 4:10 P.m. Dept. of Ger. Lang. & Lit.: E g a n Swartz, Wash U., St. Louis, "Hermann Hesse, the American Youth Movement, and the Problem of Literary Evaluation" Assembly Hall of Rackham, 4:10 p.m. Physics Seminar: Frank Henyey, "Special Relativistic Theory of Gravita- tion" P & A Colloq. Rn., 4:15 p.m. Degree Recital: David Peterson, tuba, School of Music Recital Hall, 8:00 p.m. General Notices What the World needs now: A MUSICAL PEACE' SPRING CONCERT by University of Michigan Men's Glee Club Friday, April 3,1970 8:30 P.M. - HILL AUDITORIUM Ticket Sales at Hill Auditorium Box Office Block Ticket Sales March 24-March 26 General Ticket Sales March 30-April 3 Ticket Prices: $3.00, $2.50, $2.00 I I Aud. A, Angell Hall 7:00 &.30 75c t U. of M. Sheffield Program: Applica- tions to participate is avail. in Rms. 4002 and 4017 Univ. Sch.; if you wish to partic. Winter term '71, return applcs. to above rms., before March 20. (Continued on Page 7) WOW! A three-piece Treasure Chest chicken dinner, plus french fries, for only 79! Larger take-home orders also. Try a box soon H *M~iLNGPEEDY QERVICS West of Arborland MAIL ORDERS TO: i 11 i I University of Michigan Men's Glee Club 6048 Administration Building Ann Arbor, Michigan 48104 Phone: 764-7265! MARCH 12, 13, 14-Thursday, Friday, Saturday Come early to get good seats for second show There will be a lot of GOOD THEATRE in town this week. A couple of familiar and popular BROADWAY MUSICALS will be available. But once again count on UNIVERSITY PLAYERS to bring you the unusual, distinctive and unique opportunity. This week UNIVERSITY PLAYERS offers a ONCE IN A LIFETIME chance to see CALDERON'S famed and seldom produced classic of the great theatre of the SPANISH RENAISSANCE LIFE IS A DREAM This fascinating play is both comic and profound. You will long remember its brilliant language, handsome setting, superb costumes and exciting music. See L E IS A DREAM at TRUEBLOOD THEATRE on Wednesday through Saturday, March 11-14. Tickets at Frieze Building Box Office, Monday-Tuesday, 12:30-5:00 P.M., Wednesday-Saturday, 12:30-8:00 P.M. Phone 764-5387 lope I r a i ..rPIUII rIEII L I I I' Ua I I I I I IL% l I, HAVE A PLACE FOR YOU TO LIVE! FOR NOW, THE SUMMER OR EASTERN° MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY with the support of the MICHIGAN COUNCIL FOR THE ARTS, presents THE ALVIN AILEY AMERICAN DANCE THEATRE Pease Auditorium - EMU, Ypsilanti, Michigan TONIGHT and THURSDAY General Adm ission-$2.00; Reserved-$3.00 Tickets available at EMU, McKenny Union; WSU Ticket Office; J. L. Hudson Ca. Mail orders to University Activities Board, Mc- Kenny Union, Ypsilanti,. Michiaan. L THE FALL WON'T YOU 4 1 .__. ,. . ,. "'IF Announcing our March Schedule All films in Aud. A, Angell Hall 75c I i EPI March 12, 13, 14-Thurs., Fri., Sat. BONNIE AND CLYDE starring Warren Beatty and Waye directed by Arthur Penn 7 & 9:30 P.M. Dunaway COME IN? STUDENT LIVING QUARTERS 1217 S. UNIVERSITY 662-6591 Si MODEL i i Tonight FREE Tonight 100 March 20, 21-Fri., Sat. DR. STRANGELOVE 7 & 9:30 P.M. starring Peter Sellers, George C. Scott directed by Stanley Kubrick POETRY READ BY Tom Fitzsimmons at the ARK Mr. Fitzsimmons has been published in "Ever- green," "Sat. Review," "New Republic," "Floating Bear," "Goliard," etc., and will be reading selections from his "CELESTIAL MENU" and "THE BIG BAROQUE BUBBLE BLOWER" SPEAKER The World's Second Best Reproduction System HI-F BUS Ann Arbor-East Lansing 618 S. Main 769-4700 "Quality Sound Through Quality Equipment" March 22-Sun. GUNGA DIN starring Cary Grant, Douglas and Sam Jaffe as Gunga Din March 27, 28-Fri., Sat. 7 & 9:30 P.M. Fairbanks, Jr., BEDAZZLED 7 & 9:30 P.M. starring Dudley Moore, Raquel Welch Sin and satire in English style March 29-Sun. REBECCA starring Sir Laurence Olivier directed by Alfred Hitchcock matinee-1 & 3 P.M. In April: PETULIA, ROBIN HOOD, SALESMAN, FACES, LA GUERRE EST FINIE Watch the Daily for announcements of dates and times RADICAL FILM SERIES presents THE EX TERMINA TING ANGEL directed by LUIS BUNUEL In this film Bunuel strips his characters down to their murderous core. Held by an inexplicable jinx in a sumptuous drawing room where they have gathered for a dinner party, the whole glittering facade of their social exist- ence shatters. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 114 7,9,11 P.M. Admission 75c CANTERBURY HOUSE 330 Maynard ARMedia 761-1451 at 9 P.M. 1421 Hill i em I 1:l11E "IT GRIPPED ME AS STRONGLY AS ANYTHING I HAVE RECENTLY SEEN ON THE SCREEN! A really good movie about sport! Anyone, whether he cares about this sport or any sport, must respond! 'Downhill Racer' is invigorating... good, strong, purging stuff!" -Richard SchickeI. Life kMagazine "EXHILARATING! A perceptive, unsentimental portrait of a young athlete on the make! Electrifying camera work!" --Timg e aaine BELLS v 4r 1 Y j ot... I l A I- Adrt& , L : v.,.--- _ a t __ sAris STORE * "BRILLIANTLY PHOTOGRAPHED FOR SPEED AND DANGER! It cuts among its subject and I If I