Film studies notes/Exam prep.
How Does V for Vendetta Get Across its Message & Beliefs Through Its Themes
Theme 1- Revenge is one of the most important and noticeable themes in V for Vendetta, as V plots against the Government and their controlling ways, he seemingly is seen as an enemy to the government, and therefore is experimented on, his acts of rebellion and unlawful means are a show to us that he wishes to bring the people with power down, crumbling into nothing by dust, the overall outcome allowing people to govern themselves, but V also craves personal revenge due to the actions taken against him.
Theme 2- Terroism is yet another theme displayed in the film, the actions of V are not perhaps that considered lawful and just, as much as people argue the character may be a villain, he is in-fact working outside the law and on his own accord, as if he has formed his own rule-book, yet V makes us question his actions, if they are correct and right, or simply wrong and evil, blowing up a Governmental building to make a stand and form a message could be considered a good deed, yet also an act of terroism and a wrong deed, this perhaps tells us that good people need to commit to bad things to get a positive and overall better result.
Theme 3- Realism is also another important message in this film, the severity of what is happening and the relevance of it to modern day happenings and how the Government work or may work. It allows us to understand that this is all reality, and a possibility in our own world, the rather normal settings, normal houses, this allows us to understand the time-frame in comparison to the film and present day isn't far apart.
Theme 4- Power is something strongly displayed in V for Vendetta, the power balance between the
Government and the common people is far from even or fair, the Government do things how they please, and single out those who choose to disobey or make their own rules, V is an example of someone who stands up to those more powerful then him, makes a stand and attempts to have an outcome that will better the majority and not the minority, the people with power don't use it correctly, they only use it to better themselves.Theme 5- Fear is shown in V for Vendetta as it's struck into the common people by default almost, as if the people are aware that going against the Government will only end up bad on their end, this tells us that perhaps the rights and wants of people are frowned upon and seen incorrect, that common thoughts and feeling about the way things are going should not be shared, and only kept to yourself, and if they are exposed publicly, you'll be punished, fighting against the fear is rarely seen, or simply some do not fear the Government, V being a good example.
Conclusion- The film gets across many messages, the list is rather endless, yet I feel as if the main and most striking message is that realism tells us this is all possible, it could happen in our modern day society, that it lurks on the horizon if things do not change quickly, the film allows us to understand that rules are put in place for people to follow, some choose to listen and others choose not to, V chooses not to thus he is seen as a threat.
Rough notes
In the clip shown Bradley cooper is evidently effected by the drug gives his performance a more energetic and determined vibe, his eyes are shining lightly perhaps a sign that his life has took a turn for the good, clothing is simple nothing fancy indicating he is perhaps a man of little wealth or simply Dosent care about his appearance, camera isn't focused on him specifically time overlaps to show his actions in the form of several people, giving us a positive and quick moving approach to things after the drug was taken
What is Dystopia
A dystopia is the idea of a society, generally of a speculative future, characterized by negative, anti-utopian elements, varying from environmental to political and social issues. Dystopian societies, usually hypothesized by writers of fiction, have culminated in a broad series of sub-genres and is often used to raise issues regarding society, environment, politics, religion, psychology, spirituality, or technology that may become present in the future. For this reason, Dystopias have taken the form of a multitude of speculations, such as Pollution; Poverty; Societal collapse or Political repression and Totalitarianism.
Camera shots
Space odyssey- close up of gorilla looking around to show how scared he is, when bone goes up the camera follows, to set the scene and atmosphere, low shots, high shots different angles. Tools (hunting). (Low angle = power ) narrative- Evolution (ape to man) millions of years of evolution in one cut. Graphic match -bone- spaceship.
Evolution is going up and into different heights man kind is going into an unknown area, evolution has a connection to space, has to be a reason perhaps aliens? - Something to look out for is unusual shots.
Voyeurism - is the sexual interest in or practice spying on people engaged in intimate behaviour such as undressing, sexual activity, or other actions usually considered to be of a private nature. The principal characteristic of voyeurism is that the voyeur does not normally relate directly with subject of his/her interest. Secret photography can be described as stalking.
Main gaze- is a feminist theory, that was first developed by Laura mulvey, in 1975 the male gaze occurs
Deep focus- depth of field, is the measure that can be applied to the area in focus within the frame
Shallow focus- function of a narrow depth of field and it implies that only one place of the frame will remain sharp and clear.
Racking focus- filmmaker a can change the focus of the lens to a subject in the background from the foreground
How the unusual shots give meaning and depth.
Shallow focus
Tracking shot ( following )
Close up of bad guy
Pov - point of view
Lots of close shots, getting the fear of the actors evident as batman takes them one by one.
Shallow focus is for added fear
Pov is to give us an idea of the surroundings and what is going on
Goodfella- panning, goes through back due to being more privileged, focus on two people following while way through.
Saving private Ryan - slow frames under water and no sound, close ups to display fear, camera is low down to show power, changes when they are shot, zoomed in close up slow motion. Extreme close up( nervous hand shaking)
Genres and messages/meaning
V for Vendetta
War
Science fiction
Action and adventure
Why does it fit into three genres?
Trying to make a wide audience base, based for male watchers , a mix of genders.
Is he a hero? Yes due to him solving peoples fears, yet can be argued, seen as a terrorist and criminal.
Story is about Evie, main character.
Thriller, Sci fi. Action, all masculine and make preferred male genres.
Why is it a science fiction?
It's not, set in the near future only sense of Sci fi, one of the main actors is a terrorist, things that are happening today and may happen in the soon future, democracy one leader, lack of freedom, realism separates it from the Sci-fi genre.
We experiment on terrorists, criminals, people who disagree with the Government, immigrants also a vulnerable target, disabled and weak, homosexuals. Stephen fry is black bagged after they find out he is homosexual.
What makes it a thriller?
Thriller- is a genre of literature, film, and television programming that uses suspense, tension, and excitement as its main elements.
Someone trying to catch V, investigator ( detective ) trying to stop him. Film is shown from eveys point of view and also the detectives as he attempts to solve things, complex, mystery makes us question things.
Film spoilers, mystery.
Who is behind the mask, concentration camp, homosexual, criminal, religion, Goverment don't approve.
How it happened? Gases places secretively, saying they'd help it, blamed homosexuals, religion, created disease told everyone they could cure people see solution and flock to their side, Government get way.
Conspiracy theories.
Freedom for safety/protection.
Why/if is it an action?
Action elements, explosions knifes, weapons, smooth and entertaining, avoiding reality, V is skilled maybe trained? Superpowers?
Not a definable good or bad character V's actions are questionable, breaking the law, torture, perspectives.
Community of Villains, V destroys the Government building, symbol of corruption and a misleading factor, no Government means independence, personal responsibility, own choices.
Planet of the apes - Experiments, Money, Action, evolution
Tron 2- Science, futuristic, game, money and power.
Walle-e - Science, future, relationship, struggle.
Conclusion for V for Vendetta
V for vendetta represents reality in many ways showing us how the government can be corrupt misleading and controlling , the way in which this is presented is V the character and how he is a threat to the Government thus they see him as an enemy, terrorism is something that occurs in the modern day world, V is a terrorist and a criminal, change occurred quickly this can happen again and I think realism is a large part of this film a message perhaps, the way in which V is presented shows us that people could so well be like him in the future if the Government change in the way they did in the film, the setting is also in the soon future not the far future.
Themes:
Terrorism
Society
Governmental power
Rebelling
Power
Problem solving
Superheroes
Future
V is seen only a little bit the mask close up also, can be seen with the blades seemingly out to kill or harm, keep quiet and stay hidden.
Close ups show fear, always level and in the middle of the shot, shows separation and divide, the family shot shows disgust and disbelief due to lesbians, different= bad, rain scene focuses rain she is a blur, then slowly comes into focus.
Board work/Brainstorm
