The outline of the film highlights the main theme of the film; survival. This is similar to the film V for Vendetta in some ways. Although the film V for Vendetta varies slightly as the theme is not portrayed clearly or obviously based around chaotic, end of the world survival, it still tackles this theme and issue. The totalitarian, fascist government is controlling and oppressing the lives of the public so that they are merely living and surviving. We also know from V's backstory that he, and many other groups that were deviant to the government's ideas, such as homosexuals and muslims, were experimented on in concentration camps. We later find out that the main reason why V wears a mask is because he was burnt by the fire of the concentration camps, however he survived. This results in his revenge against the government.
Another key theme or idea that is relevant within both of the films is the theme of realism. Both of the films are set in a near, foreseeable future, therefore because of this the audience can relate to the film's messages and values more, as these become more prominent rather than being hidden through entertainment aspects. Both tackle issues that could happen or have happened in the past. For example, V for Vendetta tackles the oppressive, controlling fascist government and the use of concentration camps to oppress and control minority groups. This incorporates a level of relatable realism into the film as this is evident in history of Nazi Germany. Therefore the audience understand that this could happen to them, making the film's messages and values more prominent.
Children of Men tackles issues that could happen or have happened, although the human race have not experienced the issue of not being able to reproduce, the riots and chaos that it has caused are evident in all societies. The film is set in England, but for the first half, mainly London, which itself has experienced first hand riots and chaos similar to what is portrayed in the film. Therefore the audience can relate to this.
The two films are also similar through their narrative structure. Both films do not follow a linear structure but jump back and forth through time, this is most likely to portray the extent that the world has come to. Children of Men and V for Vendetta also have unclear protagonists. At first glance, one would believe that in both films the protagonist is the male; Theo in Children of men and V in V for Vendetta. When, in my opinion, it is in fact the female characters who develop to become the protagonist after all, and drive the narrative. For example, if Evey's character did not develop into a stronger woman, or exist at all, the ending or climax of the film would not occur as it is Evey who blows up Parliament once V has died. Similarly in Children of Men, it is Kee that drives the narrative, without her or her pregnancy the world would most likely reach a chaotic end. This therefore brings me to the shared theme of oppression. That the oppressed in both films become uplifted and stronger towards the end of the narrative.
The Oedipal Complex could also be seen through both of the films. Children of Men, as I previously stated, is based during a time when the human race could no longer reproduce, therefore after a generation, there would be a generation who were not mothers and fathers due to this factor. The Oepidal Complex is the idea that one will seek similarities of the parent of the opposite sex through their partner.
In both films, the protagonist seeks a neutral male who does not seem to be on either side of the conflict throughout the film. In my opinion these characters in both films represent the Oedipal Complex. For example, Evey seeks out Dietrich in V for Vendetta. We later find out that Evey's parents were taken away during the night when she was a child. Therefore, I believe that Evey is seeking a father figure through the character of Dietrich. In both of the films, this male provides comfort and is seen as the safe place for the protagonists, however as both of the film's narratives develop, we see both of these 'father figure' males are killed by the oppressive government or opposition, once the protagonists have left. This could portray that this is their role; that they are the father figure to the protagonist and once they have been let go of, their role has been for filled, and therefore he (Dietrich or Jasper in Children of Men) must die, as the role has been lost.
The style of the two films are similar due to the colour and lighting use, this is most likely due to the themes that they tackle. Both of the films incorporate dim lighting and dull colours into the sets. In both films we do not see any signs of nature (except from when we meet with Jasper in Children of Men, which could portray that he is the good in the film. However, we also know that the nature he is emerged with is drug related, therefore this could be a coping mechanism. We also see Dietrich and Evey drinking alcohol, which could also be a coping mechanism.) Because we do not see any signs or nature in either film, it portrays to the audience the idea of the end of the world and that this has come to an end through human infliction, as the technology or human development has taken over and destroyed nature. The only signs of nature that is portrayed through both films is rain which is used as pathetic fallacy; to indicate or foreshadow bad events occurring.
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