Ms Paine 11 ENGLISH
Name:____________________
V FOR VENDETTA - KEY IDEAS AND TECHNIQUES – ANSWERS 2014
V for Vendetta is a thought-provoking film that aims to challenge the viewer through several central ideas. Look at each idea listed, and think of at least two examples of its
portrayal in the movie and an appropriate techniques.
*PLEASE NOTE: These Ms Paine’s own notes and are not in anyway exhaustive.
KEY IDEAS
MESSAGE –
 What does the film have to say about this idea?
EXAMPLES  Find at least two examples
TECHNIQUES USED  How are these ideas conveyed through at
least two techniques.
1. Political Ideas
– V for
Vendetta as
dystopian
fiction
The film depicts a struggle between freedom and the state.
 Is explicit in portraying V as the embodiment of an idea rather
than an individual through V's dialogue and by depicting him
without a past, identity or face. V becomes more than just a man
with a revolutionary idea – he becomes the idea itself: "Beneath
this mask there is an idea, Mr Creedy, and ideas are bullet-proof."
 Specifically creates a society in which individual rights and
freedoms are subsumed by the idea of collective security – which
includes a clearing out from society of anyone who does not fit
the accepted norm.
 Offers two scenarios for undermining a regime: V's violence and
Gordon's satire.
 V's violence works because it lights a spark in the people who
respond with their own violence (riots) and with peaceful protest
(at the end).
 Gordon's satire costs him his life – yet will have contributed to
the new political consciousness raising. As Mel Brooks has said,
you can't compete with dictators by making speeches – that is
what they are good at, and it is how they get power. Satire and
ridicule are better weapons.
1. EXAMPLE:
V speaks to the nation using the BTN Emergency
Channel. In this scene, V’s political motives are
clearly explained in this speech that he delivers to
the nation.
1.
a)
TECNIQUES:
MONTAGE: A montage of shots edited
closely together show the reach of V’s
message, as they show an upper middle class
family watching their broadcast in the living
room, a working class pub and a nursing
home.
b) VOICE-OVER NARRATION: Layered
over the footage, is V’s speech as a voice over
in which he explains his argument for
revolution.
2. EXAMPLE:
Final scene, when the crowd outside the Houses of 2.
Parliament remove their Guy Fawkes masks and
a)
several characters who have died during the
narrative are seen. By wearing the Guy Fawkes
masks, the crowd highlight how V’s idea of
rebellion is supported by everyone, no matter who
they are or where they come from.
TECHNIQUES:
SYMBOLISM: V’s Guy Fawkes mask
becomes a symbol of revolution, because as
he says to Creedy, “Beneath this mask there is
more than flesh. Beneath this mask there is an
idea….and ideas are bullet proof.” This is
especially poignant as when the crowd marchs
on Parliament, they are symbolically wearing
these masks.
2. Truth and lies
Although an important part of the story is Finch's pursuit and
uncovering of the truth behind the government, the film
suggests a more complex approach to truth and lies.
 the film questions the honesty of the news; suggests TV's main
role is to distract the population from the real problems
 the Sutler government created and used a lie to gain power – with
clear parallels to 'weapons of mass destruction' used to take a
country into a war they can't win
1. EXAMPLE:
In the first meeting of the inner cabnet they
discuss ways in which to distort the truth and
fabricate a lie that the Old Bailey was actually
scheduled for destruction.
1. TECHNIQUES
a) MIS-EN-SCENE:
The huge video screen of the High
Chancellor dominates the inner cabinet
room, like his desire to cover up the
explosion of the Old Bailey.
b) LIGHTING
Each member of the inner cabinet
emerges from darkness and shadows,
which is a metaphor, for their desire to
conceal and hide the truth from the
general populace.
3. Masks and
identity
ties in with the idea that we hide our real self behind 'masks';
and that if we wear our symbolic masks too long we forget who
we really are.
 V's use of the Guy Fawkes mask and persona functions on both
practical and symbolic levels. He wears the mask to hide his
physical scars, and in obscuring his identity, becomes more than
just a man with a revolutionary idea – he becomes the idea itself.
Though he – like Guy Fawkes – might be defeated, ideas of
freedom and justice can endure and retain their power.
1. EXAMPLE:
V and Gordon’s masks – V wears the symbolic
Guy Fawkes mask which hides his identitiy,
where as Gordon hides his homosexuality behind
his career as a successful tv presenter and
comedian.
1. TECHNIQUES
a) MIS-EN-SCENE
Both V and Gordon have hidden places
in which they store cultural artifacts like
books and artworks that the Norsefire
regime considers objectionable.
b) NARRATIVE STRUCTURE
Each man cooks “eggy in a basket” for
Evey strengthening the parallels between
them.
4. Story-telling
The importance of telling our stories is implicit throughout.
Much is explained via the back-stories of character
 Valerie's story is instrumental in politicising both V and Evey.
 She refers to the need to tell her story: My name is Valerie. I don't
think I'll live much longer, and I wanted to tell someone about my
life. This is the only autobiography that I will ever write…
 Finch comes to an understanding of the truth through uncovering
the past, helped by the stories of Delia and 'Rookwood'. What you
want – what you really need – is a story. It is stories that link the
facts so they make sense.
 Evey says V will understand her when he knows her story; Finch
uncovers her story and that of her family, revealing the treatment
of dissidents and protestors
 Delia's story reveals the horror hidden behind the government's
façade. In V's address to the nation he explicitly refers to the
power of words: …words will always retain their power. Words
offer the means to meaning, and for those who will listen, the
enunciation of truth.
1. EXAMPLE:
Valerie’s story is integral to the politicisation of V
and Evey.
1. TECHNIQUES
a) EDITING & SOUND
When Evey reads Valerie’s story, Valerie’s story
is inserted into the narrative through editing and
the use of a voice-over narration.
b) LIGHTING
A yellow coloured filter is also placed over the
camera to give the flashbacks a different colour
palate to the shots of Evie in the cell.