Themes of V for Vendetta

Monday 29th September 2014

What is the message of V for Vendetta?

• Fear
• Power
• Democracy
• Warning
• Don't trust politicians 

What beliefs/values does it celebrate?

• Anarchy 
• Freedom
• Revenge
• 
  

Pre-reading for Monday 29th September 2014

What stock characters are to be found in V?

• Bimbo
• Battle-axe woman 
• Damsel in distress
• Holmesian detective 
• Eldery martial arts master
• Everyman
• Femme fatale
• Final girl
• Hero
• Hotshot
• Legacy hero
• Reluctant hero
• Secret identity
• Sidekick
• Space Nazis
• Superhero
• Tragic hero

How does the film use characters differently to a typical Hollywood film?
The film, V for Vendetta uses characters, such as stock characters differently compared to a typical Hollywood film. For example, above I have listed all of the stock characters that I believe VforV includes, however it does not necessarily use these stock characters directly and stereotypically like the usual Hollywood film. Many of these stock characters above apply to V and Evie alone. This is because there is no clear definition of a hero/villain/stereotypical stock character in this film.
The majority of the characters can fit into more than one stock character type. However, for example, Evie's character develops throughout the film, which also means she can fit into many different stock character categories.
In a typical Hollywood film, it is clear who is the character the audience should emotionally connect with, and who is the villain. However, in this film it is unclear. To the audience it is unclear whether V is a terrorist/villain and whether the audience should be on the government's side.


Why do you think this is in relation to getting the film's message across?
One of the messages of the film is warning you to not lose your voice/freedom of speech, and to not just believe what you are told. A Hollywood film is not necessarily accurate to the audience lives in reality. In reality it is not clear who is the hero and who is the villain; a terrorist in Afghanistan may be a terrorist in one man's eyes, but a freedom fighter in another man's eyes. The fact that the film V for Vendetta does not portray clearly divided stock character types, makes the film closer to home, and more like a real life event, that is possible to occur.
Although the film is set in the future, it is only set 10 years ahead from now. There is not much extremism in the film like hoverboards and eating dinner from a single pill. This therefore helps to portray the message of the film even more as the film is set in a world like the one the audience lives in; conveying that this is possible.

V for Vendetta

Why could the film fit into 3 genres? 

The film could fit into 3 genres so that the market is more broad and the audience will increase. The main target it males. The genre they target at is males as women are usually the victim, therefore this genre will appeal more to the male. It is shot intentionally for a male audience (the male gaze).  The main characters would most likely be someone for the audience to identify with, including an asesthetically pleasing female. Evie overcomes her fear, the person who helps her do this is V. (Who is essentially a terrorist. This role is usually the antagonist however he could be seen as a hero. ) We see Evie weak at the beginning (almost being raped) however she develops into a powerful character (blowing up; becoming a terrorist). The hero therefore could be Evie. 

Why is it sci fi? 

Usually sci fi includes aliens. It is realist, something that could happen. The world that exists it not completely unrealistic I comparison to the current day. 

Facist government, the police dressed in solider, nazi based uniforms. However it is set in England. Set 10 years into the future. Not much has changed except the government. This film gives you a negative, dystopia theme. It is not a stereotypical sci fi film as it abandons the conventions of a typical sci fi film; alien etc.  The realism shows you that it could happen. 

Therefore it is a sci fi film however it is not a conventional (normal) sci if film. 

Messages: are we on the way towards this. Too much control etc, all branded as a terrorist. 

Conventions are the way you tell a film. 

Tested on by a science group. Explosion; coming out of it burnt etc. he gets shot several times at the end, he had been experimented on, mutant, does this prove that he is a superhero? This could mean that it is a sci fi film.  People who disagree with the government, immigrants, criminals / activists, disabled, homosexuals; "Muslims, immigrants, homosexuals" Stephen fry killed when they find out he is gay. These people are experimented on; fascist, nazi themes. 

What makes the film a thriller? 

A thriller has an exciting plot, involving crime, and empennage (spying/ secretive). Usually in a thriller there is someone who is clearly definable as the hero or good, honest person. For example, a detective, who goes through an investigation to find out or resolve the ending. Trying to catch V. We find out V's past when the detective does. This means that it is also portrayed through the detectives point of view as well as Evie. This contributes to the film being a thriller as it makes you think, apply it to your own circumstances. You never truly know who V is. 

Who is V? Mystery and twists 

Who is behind the mask; we never ind out although we know his past. V is someone who does not agree with the government as he was put into the camp to be experimented on; the man on the tv identifies what he hates at the beginning. 

Why does V have a Vendetta. We find out V's backstory as to why this is. 

The narrative shows how the government take over; they began to gassed places covertly and said that they could cure this and that the criminals, homosexuals and terrorists did this. They gave a place a virus; offering a solution. However it was them all along. The public gave up their freedom to the government. This film is playing on conspiracy theories. People do not believe their governments.  Freedom vs. protection. "A society that sacrifices their freedom for their protection wil hve neither. 

Is it action? 

A level of entertainment which takes away from the realism. 

No definable good or bad characters ; another twist. 

The film is laid to rest when the Houses if Parliment are blown up, the symbol of the government. 

Genre in relation to V for Vendetta

Crime and gangster 

The godfather 

Drama

The kings speech

Slumdog millionaire

The black swan

Comedy

The hangover

Musical

Mama Mia

Horror

Paranormal activity

Western

Epic/historical

War

Saving private Ryan

Science fiction

The matrix

Star Wars

Star Trek 

Batman

Action and adventure

Tron

Pirates of the Caribbean 

Hatry potter 

What genre is V for Vendetta. Why? 

Science fiction thriller, this is because it is set in the future but also has thriller elements 

Cinematography: V for Vendetta; analysis of character relationships/power

After the explosion of the Old Bailey. The scene is mainly shot at this angle. Here, a close up of a man's face is projected onto a large, dominating screen. Although the rest of the room is dark, the audience is aware that there is five other men present in the room. Throughout the scene this man is directing and giving orders to the men, although he asks several questions it is clear that he holds the most control due to his replies and reactions. By just analysing this shot, it is very clear who has the most control over the scene and situation. The projected close up of the man's face is the dominating object in this scene due to its size. (Usually, an audience will emotionally connection with the character in the close up). This projection takes up nearly the whole width of the screen. At a glance, it is not clear that there are five men sitting, looking and obeying this man. This portrays the five men's irrelevance and insignificance in comparison to the larger, projected man on the screen.

We are then shown this shot. This is a point of view shot from the projected man on screen. The camera angle used is a high angle shot, this portrays further the two men's lack of importance and the projected man's power and control. We understand that these men are the 'underdogs' as the angle portrays their low hierarchy, as we also known that it is a point of view shot,  it portrays the man looking down on the two men, as if looking down on their response to the conversation as unimportant. 

Here, the audience can see all five of the men through another low angle, point of view shot. None of the men's facial expressions can be seen clearly in comparison to the previous close up of the projected man's face. This again, highlights the mens insignificance and backs up my previous point.