Sunday, November 8, 2009

V for Vendetta

V for Vendetta epitomizes Karl Marx's theory on the corruption of power due to money, which inevitably (in the case of the film, that is) causes the proletarian to rise up in rebellion. Director James McTeigue revolved his film around actor Hugo Weaving's character, V, leader of the rebellion whose goal is to end the corruption by taking physical action against England's leaders. In addition, Natalie Portman plays a woman who although is upset with England's corrupt government, is unaware of how to take action until she meets V.

Despite this movie being in the future, McTeigue uses many historical references throughout the film. As an example, the 1812th overture is played as Parliament is set to explode with an absurd amount of dynamite. This musical piece was written to commemorate Russia's defense against Napoleon's advancing army in 1812. Sympathizing with the common man, the proletarian is rising up in defense just as Russia did to prevent further corrupted control by "Napoleon's force," which in this case is England's Parliament.

In the ending scene, everyone is wearing V's mask and black apparel as their hero, V, is sent with the dynamite towards Parliament. With everyone dressed the same, mankind is viewed in this moment as completely equal with no diversity whatsoever. The proletarian's main goal of rebellion overrides all petty differences in thought and physical appearance that they may have with each other. Karl Marx would have probably seen this movie more than once.

[Blog 7]

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