I just got back from a preview screening of the new film “V for Vendetta.” I could barely believe what I saw. This may turn out to be the most popular piece of modern propaganda yet directed toward our young people. I am almost positive it will be the #1 movie this weekend and the most talked about film this year so far since “Brokeback Mountain.” The only difference being, I believe more people (specifically those ages 15-34) will actually see “V for Vendetta.”The story centers around Evey, played by Natalie Portman, and her relationship with V, played by a masked Hugo Weaving (Agent Smith from “The Matrix”), an anti-hero who the government considers a terrorist. He wears the mask of Guy Fawkes, a notorious man in Britain’s past who tried unsuccessfully to blow up Parliament. V is on a revenge trip to destroy the now Religious Totalitarian England, controlled by the Chancellor (played by John Hurt). Portman’s character is put through so much in the film that she winds up sympathizing with V and eventually partaking in terrorism.
I don’t have time to tell you everything about the film. But I wanted you to know that as an audience member, the film strings you along on an emotional journey as you watch Portman’s character go from being an innocent victim, to prisoner, to government detainee; and then to actually being grateful that she’s been brainwashed into terrorism! It ends with the much-publicized (so I’m not giving anything away here) utter destruction of Parliament in a terrorist explosion and fireworks that are set off from London’s underground train system as V’s acolytes look on.
Although the focus of the story is London, it’s quite obviously a smokescreen for the Liberal fear of a total Conservative Christian State, where free-thinkers, homosexuals, and activists will undoubtedly be rounded up, subjected to torture, and finally mass-executed. The Iraq war is alluded to, as is a government detainee camp. America is mentioned as being reduced to third world status. And the Big Idea is that the government is responsible for all the things we’re told to be afraid of (terrorism, biological attacks).
What disturbed me so much about the film is how it, quite frankly, called that which is evil to be good, and what is good, evil. The villains of this story are corrupt government officials, religious hypocrites, a pedophile Catholic priest, and above all, the Chancellor himself (the conservative “President,” so to speak). The heroes/victims are peace activists, gay men, lesbian teens/women, and in the end, terrorists and their followers. It even goes so far as to say that appreciating the Koran and displaying images of gay photography are courageous and noble things to do!
All the print ads have the look and feel of propaganda art, and that’s no coincidence. This movie is totally direct in its message. What kills me is that most young people (who believe all the falsehood spread by the mass media) will actually think they’re smart enough not to be fooled by what they consider to be propaganda; go to the movie, and fall hook, line, and sinker for it anyway! And why? Because this propaganda, much like “Fahrenheit 9/11,” will line up perfectly with the fantasy world they already believe in; where Bush is a liar, the government is the enemy, and Conservatives and Christians are evil.
If you see “V for Vendetta” this weekend, know that it's rated R and has scenes of violence, torture, and some sexuality. You will also witness firsthand how this new way of brainwashing is affecting our young people. We need to be ready once more to come to the defense of our beliefs in today’s divided culture. God bless.
To return to my post regarding The Decoder Ring's double feature screening of V for Vendetta, click here.
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