What is freedom? Is it a right, a privilege, or is it (as Alan Moore believes) a perspective? V for Vendetta is a film based on Moore’s popular graphic novel of the same title. It follows the revolutionary protagonist V and his fight to unite England against a totalitarian government. The backdrop of this ruthless military dictatorship allows V’s passionate and violent actions against them fun and exciting. This film has great meaning for our times, seeing as our country is slipping into a very V for Vendetta-like world.
V and his captive/accomplice, Evey, plot against an oppressive government in this monumental action film. V plans to destroy the parliament building in London, mirroring the famous attempt to do so by Guy Fakes, of whom V also gets his mask. As a viewer it is certainly easiest to identity with Evey. She struggles with whether or not she should trust this man who seems like a dangerous terrorist. However she realizes, as the view does, who the real terrorists are.
The main theme of this movie (pretty obvious) is freedom, human rights, and thinking for yourself. The society of the film is one in which the average citizen has no voice. They have no means to change their world- a pretty horrible fate, but V points out that ultimately the people are the ones who are responsible. When you allow those in power (looking at you 1%) to you into anything like oppressive laws, censorship, the suspension of basic human rights (aka America’s new “defense” bill), you are the victim of terrorism.
Terrosim “the use of violence and threats to intimidate or coerce, especially for political purposes.” Even though these governments try to oppress us, “words will always retain their power” but when we fall silent they win.
Why does this movie’s message matter? Well it’s no surprise that both the “Occupy” movement and the hacker group “Anonymous” have adopted V’s Guy Fawkes mask. We live in a society where peaceful protest is possible and effective. We must make it our goal to do so, to speak out. If we don’t then we could end up like the citizens of V’s world.
Is V a terrorist? Are you protesting? Does this movie remind you of “Occupy” why or why not?
considering the group “anon” tried to paraphrase this movie for their own protesting “occupy” needs… it was a great movie but people have abused the themes of it
I disagree, I think the groups that have taken to the image are embracing these themes. However, they must apply them to a modern, realistic, non-violent setting.