Female Identity, Male Identity, National Identity

female identity




national identity



male identity

What significant examples of gender roles (mother/father/strength/power) in the characters?

In the male identity Swede, Dietrich is shown to almost be Evey’s protector/ father figure when he shows her his secret room where he can ‘be himself’ – this intrigues Evey and it is almost as if she looks up to him for guidance which could later stimulate her rebellious behaviour out in the open. When Dietrich is taken away it shows his strength is much less than the government but his bravery at sacrificing himself for Evey even though he has less power than the government- this could be symbolized when Dietrich is getting black-bagged on the floor with the government services pinning him down showing their authority in London. The strive for more masculine roles in this Swede is shown as the Chancellor is still trying to keep his ownership over the people when they start to go stray. There is a scene where it shows chancellor Sutler’s face projected on to a huge screen facing the men in the secret police, there is a long shot that shows Sutler to be a huge presence on the screen whilst the men are mere small silhouettes in comparison- this shows Sutler’s power over everyone.
In the female identity Swede Evey is shown to be vulnerable and weak- which stereotypically women are seen to be. She is defenseless against the Pope who is within the walls of a corrupt religion- it shows the Pope in a twisted way that would usually never be thought of, yet he has all the power within his chambers as the doors are locked and no government guards will enter. However, when Evey tries to tell the pope that V is planning on killing him, it shows her caring side at anyone getting hurt, including those that are planning on hurting her. When V enters it represents him as a father figure as he is protecting Evey from harm. His stance and body language convey his strength and power as a terrorist as he is under no one’s control- free to do as he pleases against the government.

In the national identity Swede, it shows chancellor Sutler talking to the people of England through their TV’s- it shows he is the manipulation tool to keep the people of London under control. It also explains how the government planted a virus into local schools, tube station and at a water treatment plant- they left it long enough for the people to be in fright until they brought out the cure; this meant the people thought that they were the best ruling system for their country and were blind to the wrong doing of the government as they only saw what the government wanted them to see. The mass of people dying came to a standstill. 

How does the film use it's stock characters - why?

The film uses the stock characters as a device to tell the story- whether it is through the eyes of Evey or V the audience is manipulated to empathise with either side, ignoring their terrorism and psychotic parts of their characters- V is an anti hero but as the audience is seeing it partly through his eyes it is made to seem to be in the right and not in the wrong.

How does the film represent Dystopian Britain as a nation and does it follow film stereotypes?

Dystopian Britain in V for Vendetta is a dictatorship, territorialism government that does not give the people their individualism. The film differs from usual stereotypes of future Britain as other movies like ‘back to the future’ have made it seem much more technology based and ruled by cults and rich people rather than under the rule of the government.

What messages is the film trying to get across through its representation of gender and nation in these scenes?

It is giving the message that what makes us individuals today will be taken away from us as it will be against the law, we will have to conform to a way of life and lose our voices in the world and succumb to orders given to us on how to live our daily lives- no questions asked. It is also saying that if we let the government have too much power it will corrupt religion and society and this is what will happen in our futures.

Psychoanalysis - what Yonic or Phallic imagery does the film have in these scenes and what meaning can you read into this?

In the female identity Swede, V holds a sword that penetrates the Pope when he stabs him; this shows the masculine power held in the hand of V.

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy and 4321

How is the thriller genre presented differently in these films?

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy is set back in the day of 1947 and is male dominated, it has mystery and detective work happening whereas in 4321 it is modern day with mixture of male and female adolescents but has more fast paced action chases occurring.

Notes

Kiss Ass first fighting scene in comparison to V for Vendetta
-wearing disguises
-have to have superpowers to defeat the villain
-fighting for justice
-more real life clip of what would happen

vigilante: someone who fights for justice who isnt supposed to

Woman that is killed by V: Deliah

superhero movie yet thriller made by detective

stock characters- the main characters that made the film effective

ideology- refers to a set of ideas which produces a partial and selective view of reality. notion of ideology entails widely held ideas or beliefs which are seen as 'common' sense and become neutralised.

Media's role is to circulate and reinforce dominant ideologies.

masculinity and feminity are socially constructed

 Tough Guise
the men have to be strong, independent, athletic, tough, powerful, respected to be masculine

they learn from their family, friends but mostly in the media

violence isn't a deviation but an acceptable characteristic

85% of men- murder
90% of men- assualt
95% of men- domestic violence
95% of men- dating violence
95% of men- child sexual abuse
99.8% of men- in rape

- men inflict alot of pain and suffering
-most are abused when younger which affects their later behaviour
-most men bully men

act as if they're better than everyday in public but are normal inside and have 'feelings'

its a protection >> damage psychies

personal and institutional way to cure this

the movies dictate a tough guise in their characters

asian men as associated with martial art/ kung fu masters
latino men as associated with tough mafia families

Disney movies portraying masculinity
-incredibles portrays respect by threatening
-heterosexual relationships are shown
-chinese women with white faces
-men presented with barrel chests, abs and huge arms
-presents masculinity as endurance/ prowess
-men are dominant
-men are fathers/ father figures

hyper masculinity: exaggeration of masculine portrayal

Father role:
-protect
-role model
-father issues

Mother role:
-puberty
-physical change

V for Vendetta

evey is the motherland- she looks after everyone through sending the bombs >> she births the revolution

Mothers:
-evey
-deliah

Father:
-V
-Sutler
-Dietrich

Phallic: train   <>   Yonic: tunnel   <>   Orgasm: explosion

british national identity
-powerful
-united
-patriotic
-class system
-heritage >> old fashioned >> American stereotype on english culture >> known 'english' actors to be romantic and soft: Hugh Grant, Roucarn >> About Time

Fuhrer: Nazi/ Hitler
Father: Sutler

Rights of the individul                                      <>                                United and strong community/ nation

Feminism is a label that refers to a broad range of views containing one shared assumption- gender inequalities in society, histroically masculine power (patriarchy) excercised at right of women's interests and rights

female body is displayed for the male gaze in order to provide erotic pleasure for the males (voyeurism)

Essay

Essay

Thesis:

The dystopian political based thriller, V for Vendetta presents a fascist, totalitarian and dictatorship government that is ruling over the futuristic setting of London where people’s identities are repressed.  Revenge is a strong theme in this film; all the plots are for their own personal gain; V and Evey both want revenge- V due to the part people played in his suffering of the experiment and Evey because her parents/ her life was ripped away from her, yet by achieving this they hide behind the fabrication of freedom for the people to hide their own behaviour and actions. The government is a symbol of their loss which they want to destroy but by doing this they save society from the oppression and rules that stifle the people.

Theme 1: Fascism

Message 1: the government dictates what people are to believe- it could happen in our society if we let it happen

Scene: opening scene

Analysis: the cinematography presents the man with a close up shot, which shows his power over the people, and that he controls their beliefs- shows they do not have an individual identity but a conformed one.

Theme 2: Revenge

Message 2: the end justifies the means; there is a right for violence to get freedom

Scene: when he kills the woman scientist

Analysis: these idioms present how the audience is made to believe what v is doing is a good thing- he has a secret agenda where he kills the people that played a part in his suffering during the experiment by only allowing society to see what he wants them to see: freedom. The mise en scene conveys the use of a red rose as representation for his revenge.

Theme 3: Revolution

Message 3: freedom of the people- to make a difference and not be enslaved by the government’s rules and regulations

Scene: the end scene

Analysis: the cinematography presents the enormity of the citizens uprising compared to the army that the government control- the government are no match. V made it possible for the people to make a stand. The close ups on individual faces show how important this was to the people- to get their identity back.

Theme 4: Media manipulation

Message 4: it is a force of power to oppress the people and dictate the beliefs

Scene: chancellor sutler’s speech and v’s speech

Analysis: the government control the stream of media into the people’s homes – used this to gain control over the people by using disease as the weapon against anyone who weren’t straight, white and Christian. V used the media as a force to get the people to listen to him and his plans for the next 5^th November where he plans to blow up parliament- it is used to manipulate. Both government and v are villains in their own right and use this to get what they want.

Theme 5: Oppression

Message 5: homosexuality is wrong to the corrupt religion ruled by the government

Scene: experiment and when Dietrich is taken away

Analysis: the people have to be Christian, white and straight otherwise the government take them away and harm them with no trial. Art is a form of the identity that they took away from the people; some hide it in their homes- v steals artwork from the government, which symbolises how he is against them, and represents how he is the hope for the revolution.

Conclusion:

The film presents a range of themes that convey how the government rules people’s identities and lives to conform to their own regulations so there is no chance of a revolution, however v changes this as he is the face of the uprising- he is the hope for the people in the darkest time. It represents how the government rules by fear and propaganda that influences them to look the other way if anything out of line happens. The main plot to the film is the revolution and how the strength that the people can build when they come together can win against the evil. There are no heroes in this film; they are all villains- V and the government kill people, Evey blows up parliament due to the fact that they took her parents from her. The motives of this film are personal and the people killed are a tragic accident for the cause of ‘good’ in their eyes. In some ways what v does it good as it frees the people but his motives for doing this are based on a hatred that boils deep inside him because it all he knows.

Notes

Four types of Narratives:
-omniscient: this is where the audience knows everything about the film and characters. example: silence of the lambs
-restricted: the audience only knows what the character knows. examples: the sixth sense and shutter island
-linear: the films have a clear start, middle and end.
-non-linear: use flashbacks to throw audiences off track.

Enigma codes and their importance in a film
an enigma code makes the audience ask themselves questions throughout the film; it entertains the audience as well as the fact that it makes them feel clever.

Different Thriller genres
-conspiracy: usually include a heroic figure set around a business location and and usually includes a powerful organisation. examples: inception and shutter island.
-crime: usually include some sort of criminal offence- the main character would either be a detective or some sort of murderer. example: inside men
-disaster: main character is usually some sort of scientist- the story plots around a natural disaster where mankind are to blame.
-mystery: based upon a crime where clues are revealed to keep the audience guessing. similar to crime and detective. storylines are usually restricted. example: the sixth sense
-political: based around the government and prevention of war. example: V for Vendetta
-psychological: narratives are usually non-linear, based upon a character with a messed up mind. example: butterfly effect.

Notes

V for Vendetta

Theme= religion
Example= strength through unity; unity through faith
Explanation= religion is corrupt; it is used to obtain control and power over the people. They believe in God- they have faith in it.

Thesis- introduction

norse fire >> team of villains (government)

V is doing the same as the government- they are both manipulating the people without them knowing it.

"the end justifies the means"

"there is a right for violence to get freedom"

there is no hero-they are all villains:
-V is a terrorist
-Government is a dictatorship
- Evey has been brainwashed/ manipulated

Gender Studies
V's gender is unknown- other than his voice he has no other obvious gender specifier: he is covered head to toe in a unisex outfit
however he is seento have feminine activities such as cooking and dancing

evey is seen as feminine and vulnerable at the start of the movie- typical traits. Evey is seen to develop masculine characteristics after her torture at the mock prison camp as she does not care what happens to her and has lost her hair (feminine feature)  and does not dress feminine- sweaters and trousers

comparison between Evey and V through their reactions to the outside world after their reactions to the outside world after their torture > hands held up to the sky (V in fire- starts; Evey in rain- finishes)

the masks given to the people make everyone gender neutral so their identity is secret. It is a symbolism of them supporting V - masks protect his identity and their own

Marxism
Government is a fascist dictatorship >> media and cultural elements help the government keep their marxism control.

media is biased and is controlled by the government- people do not question the propaganda through fear. Lewis Prothero is the face of the media.

V uses the media to start his revolution- preaches freedom and democracy. knows the message will get out to everyone as the government has control over the media stream into people's homes >> typical marxist control.

artwork was banned by the government so the people could not form their own identity. not allowed it in their homes - however some people have it hidden >> V steals artwork from the government. repression of creativity makes them blindly follow the government.

Sutler is the high chancellor and is not seen in person at all >> mostly seen on screen so it gives a 'big brother' feel >> spying on the citizens of London.

Government is scared at the situation in England so try and control it as much as possible >> curfews to stop people being ale to have extra time in the day that the government can't control- so no one is allowed out their homes.

 Religious
-governmen distorts religion for their own control
-corrupt religious figures
-postcolonialism (dictatorship) imperialist in power

Themes in V for Vendetta
Hope
Fear
Revenge
Corruption
Post colonialism
Marxism
Gender Identity
Media Manipulation

Most important 5 Themes in V for Vendetta

Fascism- could happen in our society if we let it happen

Revenge- V's secret agenda is to get revenge

Media Manipulation- sutler used the media to gain control by blaming diseases caused on anyone who is not white, straight or christian

Revolution- citizens uprising

Opression- Gays and transvestites and people that are accepted now will lose their rights in the future

Revolution
End scene is an example of this as all people are overthrowing the army and Evey sends V off on a train filled with explosives to blow up Parliament.

What scene shows fascism?