Opening 16 Mar 2006
Directed by:
James McTeigue
Writing credits:
Andy Wachowski, Larry Wachowski
Principal actors:
Natalie Portman, Hugo Weaving, Stephen Rea, Stephen Fry, John Hurt
In V for Vendetta, a touch of love and murderous revenge are woven through this political thriller directed by James McTeigue. Based on the graphic novel by David Lloyd and Alan Moore, the time is a futuristic totalitarian Britain. A mysterious man in black, whose identity is hidden behind the hideous grin of a Guy Fawkes’ mask, comes to the rescue of Evey (Natalie Portman) who is caught outdoors after curfew by two police now known as Fingermen who want to have their way with her. V (Hugo Weaving) vanquishes the villains leaving Evey intrigued. Thus begins the relationship between V, who seeks to free the people of England from a fascist government and Evey, an orphan of political activism. But V is also on a very personal mission to wreak vengeance on those who imprisoned, tortured and maimed him during a government experiment. As he eliminates his former captors one by one, V furthers his efforts to blow up Parliament which he believes symbolizes the present tyranny. His plan is inspired by Guy Fawkes, who in 1605 was caught in a tunnel beneath Parliament with 36 barrels of gunpowder. There are lots of amusing, not so subtle references to current political issues, such as news reports on the downfall of the United States precipitated by the disastrous war in Iraq. View the video to verify victory for the villains or vigilante V. (Mary Nyiri)
