An earnest and thoughtful film, memed into caricature and deserving of a renaissance.
by OffGuardian, shared with thanks!
This November 5th OffG heartily recommends V for Vendetta. Its themes are newly relevant, and its message could not be more timely.
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Unfortunately – or maybe deliberately – all most people remember of V for Vendetta is the now infamous Guy Fawkes mask. It became the symbol of Anonymous, and then it became a joke. But the film deserves more than that.
Released in 2005 – bizarrely, a time we can now look back on as much more politically aware – it is an adaptation of an Alan Moore graphic novel set in a dystopian alternative Britain.
The story centres around a masked vigilante, V, who plans to bring down the fascist government of Britain by blowing up the Houses of Parliament and inciting mass demonstrations and anarchy. I won’t go into the details of the plot, because that would defeat the purpose of recommending you watch it. Suffice to say, there is intrigue, action, philosophy, conflict and romance (in the classic sense).
It is a comic book movie, and thus bound by the conventions of the genre. There is a linear narrative. There is a love story. There is a conclusion. There is cartharsis.
These are the hallmarks of popular fiction that so rarely apply to the real world. And though they are well done and interesting, they are not what makes V for Vendetta so memorable.
The casting is brilliant, and the performances good without exception. But what makes the film great, truly great, is the writing.
It was written by someone who truly sees the way power works, and the world it builds is the most realistic dystopian vision ever put to screen. It is our world…but ever so slightly different. People look the same, dress the same, talk the same…but they are scared. All the time. And controlled. All the time.
There are curfews and censors and quarantine zones. Secret police, with limitless authority, stalk the streets and harass the public. The state broadcaster tells nothing but fanciful stories that barely resemble reality, in order to keep people calm and under control. Nobody really believes them, but nobody does anything about it either.
Every evening a former military intelligence officer appears on his nationally televised talk show to spin jingoistic propaganda about the state of the nation. Other television, music and art is all subject to government screening before appearing in public.
…and this world was built as the result of a virus.
In the original graphic novel – written in the 1980s and set in the 1990s – the dystopia was created by nuclear war. But in the 2005 movie, set in the year 2020, it’s a virus. Poetic, no?
In the movie – unlike our less dramatic reality – the virus was “weaponised”, allegedly released as part of a terrorist attack. The public, hysterical with fear, empowered the state to destroy all their freedoms. Elections, protests, free speech. All gone.
The dynamics of this fascist power are well observed. From the corruption of government and military personnel sitting on the boards of big pharmaceutical companies; to the faux-camaraderie with the every man, expressed by an elite which lives a secret life of opulence and indulgence; to the barely-concealed fragility of the entire system.
For, though the power is concentrated and the system appears monolithic, all it takes is a small push to topple it. This insecurity is felt by all those in power.
Late in the film, as the government is beginning to lose control of the narrative, the High Chancellor (John Hurt) gives this speech to his Head of Media:
What we need right now is a clear message to the people of this country. This message must be read in every newspaper, heard on every radio, seen on every television. I want this country to realize that we stand on the edge of oblivion. I want every man, woman and child to understand how close we are to chaos. I want everyone to remember why they need us!
…what follows is montage of created media narratives and news footage – exaggerated, contrived or invented whole-cloth – designed to terrify the public into submission. This cynical understanding of the media is lacking in almost all films, especially those which claim to satirise the news or television industry. That the news could be, and regularly is, an entirely fictional narrative to serve a government agenda, is a fact even most alternate media personalities are slow to understand.
Aside from the themes and world building, the script is eminently quotable. From “artists use lies to tell the truth, while politicians use them to cover the truth up.” to “Beneath this mask there is more than flesh, beneath this mask there is an idea…and ideas are bulletproof!” and “Our integrity sells for so little, but it is all we really have.”
And, of course, a quote that could be made for our modern world:
You wear a mask for too long, and you forget who you are underneath it.”
So go find a copy of this film, and watch it to mark this November 5th. Witness the dystopian vision of England which – in 2005 – seemed like “something that could happen one day”, but has become something that is actually happening right now, in front of our eyes.
Early in the film V hijacks a television broadcast and gives this speech:
There are of course those who do not want us to speak. I suspect even now, orders are being shouted into telephones, and men with guns will soon be on their way. Why? Because while the truncheon may be used in lieu of conversation, words will always retain their power. Words offer the means to meaning, and for those who will listen, the enunciation of truth.
And the truth is, there is something terribly wrong with this country, isn’t there?
Cruelty and injustice, intolerance and oppression. And where once you had the freedom to object, to think and speak as you saw fit, you now have censors and systems of surveillance coercing your conformity and soliciting your submission.
How did this happen? Who’s to blame? [T]ruth be told, if you’re looking for the guilty, you need only look into a mirror. I know why you did it. I know you were afraid. Who wouldn’t be? War, terror, disease. There were a myriad of problems which conspired to corrupt your reason and rob you of your common sense. Fear got the best of you.
It could hardly be more apposite. Filed under: Arts, Arts and Entertainment, featured, Film & Television, latest, OffG Recommends Tagged with: Alan Moore, film and television, Hugo Weaving, John Hurt, movies, Natalie Portman, OffG Recommends, V for Vendetta
by OffGuardian, shared with thanks!
Add and view more Comments at original post HERE https://off-guardian.org/2020/11/05/offg-recommends-v-for-vendetta/
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8000 28 Comments newest
Jesper Nov 5, 2020 7:36 PM
From a writer that once appeared at OffG.
https://expressiveegg.org/2020/10/27/the-normal-that-never-was/ 00 Reply
el Gallinazo Nov 5, 2020 7:35 PM
“The story centres around a masked vigilante, V, who plans to bring down the fascist government of Britain by blowing up the Houses of Parliament and inciting mass demonstrations and anarchy.”
Very good article and I, for one, will watch it again. But please do not abuse the word “anarchy.” Did you mean chaos? Did you mean a society without rulers based on voluntarism and the non-aggression principle? 60 Reply
kevin Nov 5, 2020 7:28 PM
V: “Well certainly there are those more responsible than others, and they will be held accountable, but again truth be told, if you’re looking for the guilty, you need only look into a mirror. I know why you did it. I know you were afraid. Who wouldn’t be? War, terror, disease. There were a myriad of problems which conspired to corrupt your reason and rob you of your common sense. Fear got the best of you…” 00 Reply
Gwyn Nov 5, 2020 7:17 PM
When Off-G say that they ”recommend” this film, what they mean is that there’ll be a test on it tomorrow.
Don’t forget to take copious notes, everyone! ;o) 10 Reply
S Cooper Nov 5, 2020 7:09 PM
“After the show, for some great eats, do not fail to visit Morlock Lurch’s TO SERVE MAN GARDEN CAFES (locations worldwide) to sample their tasty faux vegan soylent green specials. M’m! M’m! Good!”
sharon marlowe Nov 5, 2020 7:18 PM Reply to S Cooper
😀 20 Reply
JonneyRipe Nov 5, 2020 7:00 PM
LIVE: Million Mask March takes place in London as new lockdown begins in UK
The Government’s credit just ran out. They are now doing this without consent. How very brave of them. 90 Reply
DunGroanin Nov 5, 2020 6:50 PM
All relevant indeed and is also applicable to the the many fake narratives sold to us over the last 50 – 150 years.
From Money being a creation of the private sector instead of the State to the fake cover story to hide the truth of Money the fake Capitalist/Anti Capitalist and it’s contrived left/right spectrum.
From imperialism and superiority complex instilled in the ‘subjects’ for their enrolment for Patriotic reasons Into being the warmongers for the Money Classes.
From the fake enemies – Communism, Fascism to Unions, Terrorists to most recently the EU , Putin/ Xi/Assad upto today with Trump!
The SC2 virus however is real and even as they try to use it for their purposes as with all above.
The purposes in the U.K. that allowed Thatcher / Blair / Cameron/ Bozo the Clown to be put in place to front their lying narratives.
So when you write above
“ ..the government is beginning to lose control of the narrative..“
You imply misleadingly that it is the Politician (Portrayed by Hurt In the film) that is in charge and giving the orders.
When it is really the Ancient Money Order givers who are the real string pullers from behind the curtain!
NB – isn’t it hilariously ironic that freedom is won in the fictional story by people donning MASKS! You sure you’ve though this through?
😂 1-2 Reply
sharon marlowe Nov 5, 2020 6:47 PM
He kidnaps the girl, then tortures and deceives her. That’s the hero of the movie, someone who does a cult-like brainwashing of his victim. Pretty much failed there for me.
I’ll recommend, “The Great McGinty”(1940), for a crash course in American politics;) 1-2 Reply
Edwige Nov 5, 2020 6:46 PM
$54m dollar movies produced by giant corporations and written by a freemason are sure likely to be on our side and not toxic elite propaganda….
Good job that an elite that can pull off Covid and 9/11 doesn’t think to control cultural production! 40 Reply
and… Nov 5, 2020 6:42 PM
OffG Recommends….Watch a movie made yesterday which eerily resembles the world today.
Logoff, Unplug, Go and Be w/o prescriptions until gone no more. 00 Reply
-CO Nov 5, 2020 6:41 PM
V says “words will always retain their power” I would have to say “only if they are acted upon will they have any significant effect”.
All we have up to now in this quiet war being waged against us amounts to no strategy just criticism of the adversaries that goes round and round with words like a revolving door. We are all guilty of that fact. As I and others are now beginning to realise the reestabllment of the common court system in the UK is of paramount importance to bring the perpetrators of this Covid fraud to justice under common law.
People are required in numbers to enable enforcement officers to be appointed by the people and also to support the court system. I therfore urge everyone to consider joining the common law court before its way too late. This may be one of the few peaceful strategies that may still work otherwise it’s goodnight Vienna for us all. 00 Reply
LKing Nov 5, 2020 6:34 PM
I thought the female doctor was one of the best characters, and would probably hit home with a lot of people in the medical field today. 10 Reply
Jay Nov 5, 2020 6:33 PM
I read the synopsis for this film and thought it sounded horribly realistic.
I’m worried about a friend who’s become very depressed since lockdown began, so I can’t find entertainment in it. And things are worse, as the situation is global. All countries are being ordered to lockdown and to impose restrictions. Politicians in every country are reading from the same script, so I have little hope.
I cannot bear the phrase ‘Stay Safe’. 70 Reply
Righteous rabbit Nov 5, 2020 6:26 PM
Both my husband and I mentioned V months ago when this started. Brilliant film 10 Reply
Jeffrey Strahl Nov 5, 2020 6:19 PM
Great film, even as a film, with superb content. 00 Reply
Dianthus Nov 5, 2020 6:06 PM
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wave_(1981_film) 10 Reply
SteveK9 Nov 5, 2020 6:00 PM
My favorite film of all time. As you say, the writing is incredible (great example is the speech you quoted, but the entire film could be quoted). It certainly did not escape my notice, how a virus was used to establish totalitarian control over the people of the UK. I wonder how many Brits have seen this movie. 90 Reply
LKing Nov 5, 2020 6:16 PM Reply to SteveK9
“If our own government was responsible for what happened at St Mary’s and Three Waters… if our own government was responsible for the deaths of almost a hundred thousand people… would you really want to know?” 30 Reply
Jeffrey Strahl Nov 5, 2020 6:22 PM Reply to SteveK9
I’ve had people (in California) tell me “Oh, but that was a movie, what we have is real.” Because they heard about it via the NY Times, CNN and NPR as well as “progressive” media. 🙂 50 Reply
husq Nov 5, 2020 5:51 PM
The ordinary man with extraordinary power is the chief danger for mankind–not the fiend or the sadist. Once the living human being is reduced to a number, the true bureaucrats can commit acts of utter cruelty, not because they are driven by cruelty of a magnitude commensurate to their deeds, but because they feel no human bond to their subjects.
While less vile than pure sadists, the bureaucrats are more dangerous, because in them there is not even a conflict between conscience and duty; their conscience is doing their duty; human beings as objects of empathy and compassion do not exist for them.
Erich Fromm. 70 Reply
S Cooper Nov 5, 2020 6:05 PM Reply to husq
The military, police (gestapo), technocrats and bureaucrats are the means by which the CORPORATE FASCIST PSYCHO “owners” will impose their wicked will upon WE THE PEOPLE (HUMANITY).
Jada Nov 5, 2020 5:45 PM
I love this movie, I can watch it on repeat, very good comparison with what is going on now. 20 Reply
S Cooper Nov 5, 2020 5:44 PM
“It also presupposes that the CORPORATE FASCIST OLIGARCH MOBSTER PSYCHOPATHS, benevolent altruists that they are, intend to keep the bulk of the untermenschen, useless eaters and sheeple around to consume scarce resources.
“Time to cull the herd. EUGENICS FOREVER.” 20 Reply
Freeborn John Nov 5, 2020 5:36 PM
At last someone noticed.
V , 1984,Brave New World. and one you may not know ,One on Me, by Tim Huntley a personal favourite. 30 Reply
Arsebiscuits Nov 5, 2020 5:30 PM
I seen this when was politically unaware and young and rebellious and going through the rejected multiple personalities one is trying to work out as a young 20 year old.
I shall watch this with scrupulous eyes now a battered brain of the regime that’s been imposed on us for decades. 40 Reply
Marfanoi Nov 5, 2020 5:29 PM
Sound.Made me smile to see this.Fingers crossed eh. 20 Reply
County Girl Nov 5, 2020 5:24 PM
Not seen the movie, didn’t know the story, but from reading the above article what is happening now and for the last ? years, it all sounds horribly familiar. 50 Reply
Add and view more Comments at original post HERE https://off-guardian.org/2020/11/05/offg-recommends-v-for-vendetta/
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