V for Vendetta - Remember the 5th of November

"Remember, remember the fifth of November of gunpowder treason and plot. I know of no reason why the gun powder treason should ever be forgot."

Yes it is in fact the fifth of November and I simply can’t let the opportunity pass me away to recommend one of my favorite movies or graphic novel – V for Vendetta. This movie was shown back in 2005 which is actually almost a decade now. While I’m sure some of you still remembers this, there may be plenty of our bros out there who have never seen this film.

If you like Batman, 300, Watchmen then you are definitely gonna love this one.

Why the fifth of November? – The poem you see above is the poem that V loves to recite. It is actually dedicated to Guy Fawkes. He is a real historical figure that attempted to blow up the British parliament with the use of 36 barrels of gun powder. He and his group wanted to overthrow the government but failed because they were caught in the early hours of November 5, 1605. Ever since then that date has become known as the bonfire night. It is celebrated annually with fireworks. Of course the English celebrate it because it is all about the safety of the government and Royal family. However, some people do joke about it, and say that they are celebrating the attempt of Guy Fawkes to do away with the government.

The iconic Vendetta mask – Im pretty sure that you have seen this mask a lot of times all over the internet. Sometimes it is used by hackers, or by people who are protesting something against the government. That mask is actually patterned after the face of Guy Fawkes.

What is the plot of the movie – V for Vendetta is set on an alternate future. Their government is not only corrupt but very controlling as well. The news is manipulated by those in power and the purpose of the media is to scare people with the anarchy that is happening outside the country. Epidemics, wars, and crimes are some of the things that this government continues to remind its people on a daily basis. They hold on to their power over the masses by making them believe that they need these leaders.

V however knows the truth, and just like Guy Fawkes he wants to overthrow the current government with the help of Evey (Natalie Portman). One of the popular quotes that V says in this film is "People shouldn’t be afraid of their government; governments should be afraid of their people."

Why you will like this film – aside from the fact that this film or the graphic novel itself is very intelligent when it comes to the plot and everything else, it is actually still an action film. The action sequences are well done and will definitely remind you of the popular dark superhero films that you have seen before. V for all intent and purposes is a terrorist but you will find yourself rooting for his cause like it is your own.

Why I like this film – 9 years later, I still find myself wanting to wear a Guy Fawkes mask. It is indeed an iconic object. For others, it may represent rebellion or anonymity. For me, it is about what V wanted to point out as the movie neared its end. What he wanted to say is that V is not one person, but rather he represents everyone. All the people who believes in a cause but cannot say it openly because they will be prosecuted by the government or the people around them. I think most of us are this way now. We have a lot of thoughts that we keep to ourselves even if we know that they are right, because we may be judged in the wrong way. Instead we let the media and the government determine what is right and wrong for us.

I will end this with a short message – watch this film, now. :)

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