Z is a movie about an assassination and coverup, and it is based on real events. The person assassinated in the film is known as The Deputy (Yves Montand). He is a liberal, and against the use of nuclear power. After The Deputy’s murder, the police are obviously lying about its being an accident. But an autopsy is conducted which determines the death to be murder. The suspicious death is investigated by The Examining Magistrate (Jean-Louis Trintignant). The Examining Magistrate is assisted in his investigation by a Photojournalist (Jacques Perrin). The Deputy’s widow (Irene Pappas), is also interested in finding out the truth.