“People should not be afraid of their governments. Governments should be afraid of their people.”
In 2012 I did a cinematic advent calendar of twenty four films. These were films that I really liked and have enjoyed at the cinema. This year on a similar theme I will be posting a movie advent calendar of twenty four movies.
On the 2012 calendar I did think about putting down 1984 or V for Vendetta down, but when I thought about it, from a cinematic perspective I chose Brazil, as for me it was the best out of those three films. 1984 is a great film, but is an incredible book, especially when you consider it was written in 1948. A powerful vision of a dystopian future where Big Brother knows all and there is not just no freedom, but no freedom of thought. However though I think the book is superb, I am less enamoured by the film. It was a choice between Brazil and V for Vendetta. Well back then I chose Brazil as I thought it was a better film (it still is) and it had more personal resonance, it was a film I had seen at the cinema when I was at University.
So here we are in 2022 and though I prefer Brazil, I have now added V for Vendetta to this advent calendar. I think part of that is how much more the film resonates and in some ways how much closer we appear to be moving to that reality.
V for Vendetta is a 2005 dystopian political thriller film directed by James McTeigue and written by the Wachowski siblings, based on the 1988 DC/Vertigo Comics limited series of the same name by Alan Moore and David Lloyd.
The film stars Hugo Weaving as V, a mysterious anarchist who wears a Guy Fawkes mask and seeks to bring down the fascist government that controls a dystopian version of Britain. Natalie Portman plays Evey, a young woman who becomes caught up in V’s revolution.
One of the key aspects for me in V for Vendetta is its thought-provoking themes, which explore issues of freedom, democracy, and individuality in a society where these values are under threat.
The film’s futuristic setting is convincingly realised, with a strong attention to detail in the production design and costume design. This is England, not quite the England we know, but certainly one that is both familiar and incongruent.
Weaving delivers a memorable performance as V, bringing a sense of mystery and intensity to the character. Portman also does a good job as Evey, convincingly portraying her character’s arc from a frightened young woman to a more confident and determined individual.
V for Vendetta is a well-made and thought-provoking film that explores timely and relevant themes. It is scary how some of those scenes have been and are been played out today make it even more relevant. Its strong performances and attention to detail make it a compelling and memorable viewing experience.
Get V for Vendetta at Amazon.