V+for+Vendetta

//V for Vendetta// is a movie about a dystopian society that takes place in the near future in England. The society is ruled by a conservative dictatorship that uses fear and deceit to rule the people. However, a revolutionary, the male protagonist V, disrupts the government by exposing their misdeeds and leads the people into a revolt.
 * Plot Summary**

In this movie, the audience encounters the female protagonist, Evey Hammond. Through V, Evey changes from a typical female protagonist to an atypical female protagonist. Despite the fact that Evey changes by the end of the movie, Evey still applies to the feminine characteristics in the feminist theory. Unlike V, who wears a masks and doesn't portray a significant amount of emotions, Evey is much more emotional and vulnerable than V. This defines the stereotypical take on masculinity and femininity as the male is associated with minimal amount of emotions and the female is illustrated with an abundance of emotions. For example, in the last scene, the audience sees Evey pleading V to run away with her and to give up the revolt. V, however, decides to carry on with the revolt and Every is left alone to guard the dynamites. This scene depicts Evey as the feminine character as her emotions take over her logics, showing the female protagonist, Evey, as weaker than V and less reasonable and logical. Furthermore, Evey is depicted in a "male gaze" and this can be seen through the cinematography, in which Evey is seen more often shown in an bird's eye view. This puts Evey in a position where she is literally looked down upon and the concept of the male gaze is underscored, because males are depicted, most of the time, as being taller than females.
 * Feminist Theory**

//V for Vendetta// definitely has a prevalent motif of social injustice and social inequality. The government deceives the people, in order to control them and gain profit from them. V points out this injustice and tries to give hope to the people who have been oppressed. The idea of the oppressor vs oppressed is shown especially during scenes when Evey sees her friends and family being taken away by the government. Evey is forced to hide under the bed as the police takes her family and friends away. Every is shot in a close up as her emotions are clearly being portrayed (crying), but the police are portrayed in a worm's eyes views in a wide/american shot as the ambiguity seems more oppressing. This concept of the weak being forced to submit to the oppressors can also be seen in the mise en scene in scenes where the High Chancellor meets with other officials and police. The High Chancellor is projected upon a big screen where it seems almost overpowering and oppressive compared to the officials that are seated around the screen. However, it is not shown in an positive light as most scenes where oppressors appear have a dark, low key lighting, which seem to show the darkness lack of freedom brings. This idea of oppression and the concept of the lack of freedom through oppression can be depicted in this movie, where it condemns oppression and advocates freedom. Thus, the movie seems to portray marxist ideology.
 * Marxist Theory**

This movie is an American movie (British novel) that reflects many of the controversial concepts that are addressed in Western society today. It's not surprising to see that the film is based on a society that had been affected by something similar to the world war as well as disease, because the western society had, in the past, been severely affected by both factors. This fear is reflected in the film as the "people" are afraid of both war and diseases. This fear allows the government to easily control the people, in which V tries to change it. Throughout the movie, V tries to fight the conservative government official, and the film uses mise-en-scene as well as cinematography to convey that the governments are the "villains". They are usually depicted in wide shots that allow a sense of distance and coldness. Also, they are reflected in low key lighting with shadows and less emphasis on the government officials that illustrates distance. The idea that a cold, heartless and authoritative government should be reprimanded is reflected in the western society, where democracy and freedom as well as hope is advocated. Moreover, in contrast to the governments, the people who are sent to concentration camps (minorities) are depicted in a more accepting light. During the scene when Evey is tortured, Evey reads a story about a lesbian woman who died in the concentration camp. The story is shown in the film, and the audiences see the woman and her love in a high key lighting with an abundance of close ups. This highlights the individuals and their emotions, so that the audience can empathize with them. Thus, the cultural issue concerning minorities in our society, such as gays and lesbians, is reflected in the film.
 * Cultural Studies**