V for Vendetta

The world James Mctiegue created within the film V for Vendetta (2006), following the graphic novel by David Lloyd, is not one many would associate with a dystopia.  Set in London it appears to still be the same.  There is no war or destroyed buildings.  But this is all because the dystopian degredation is beneath the surface evolving gradually.  V sees this, has enough and decides a revolution is in order.  Though he sets events in motion, in order for his plan to be seen through it has to come from the people.

V is a terrifically imaginative, educated, intelligent, passionate man who looks to history for the answers.

Like any good artist V is inspired by the things that benefited culture in past years.  Stepping into his home, Evey finds herself amidst lost treasures.  By understanding the past, the future can unfold before your eyes.  The film does a wonderful job of capturing the importance of this because it mimics this belief in a similar manor.  This work of art draws from various stories and sews them together to create a masterpiece.  The relationship between Evey and V at first and remind one of The Beauty and the Beast but with a twist.  V's swift moving sword fights and black cloak can resemble that of Zorro.  It can also be said that the High Chancellor is simply a modern day Big Brother watching your every move.

Even the actually techniques of filming are greatly influenced by chinese cinema of the late 70's.  The swift fast actions for the dramatic fights are all choreographed with influences from Kung Fu filled with high emotions and hyper realism.  The last sword fight is the most dramatic of them all and so V's sword has special effects added to the aftermath.  The gliding lights that follow every movement emphasis this glorified, choreographed dance.  Everything about this movie is a wonderful compilation of symbolic meaning, traditions and influences of great art and literature that came before it.  By sticking to the integrity and meaning of the story the film was able to capture it's importance all the more better.

This movie is special because it brought to light the very thing that allows a government to have total control.  1984, Children of Men, and THX 1138, amongst many more, all touch on the idea that language is the driving force behind control.  But, V for Vendetta makes language the ultimate underlying reason for corruption.  Language, as we know, is man made and so it can be a means of creation or destruction.  This becomes extremely apparent through Valerie's story from when V was imprisoned.  She talks about how words like "different" became dangerous.  Again, the film further emphasizes the use of the letter V through Valerie's name as well.  The birth of "V" itself was through a compilation of events.  V's prision cell was roman numeral V, or 5, and so on NoVemver 5th (The only month with V in it), V regained his freedom during a fire. Years later on the same date, he inspires a revolution for the people to gain their freedom as well. 

Everything within this movie is symbolic, deliberate and interconnected.  V himself was an artist and the revolution is simply and extension of his work.  Therefore, by understanding this, Mctiegue was able to keep the integrity of the film and turn it into a work of art as well.