Regarding to the censorship lessons, our students from the English class watched a movie called V for Vendetta. This movie feels more like fantasy movie, however, it carries heavy and mature topic about our society. It shows how government controls citizens through news broadcast, propaganda, etc.
When the government decided to hide about V, who were constantly murdering corrupted politicians in London, they were broadcasting false news to the people. They announced that V was killed by honorable police officers and detectives. However, the fact was that they had killed a hostage, who dressed up like V. And the next morning, people realized that government was lying to them. Additionally, government had set a secret laboratory, which was using prisoners for the biological experiments. Prisoners were usually who tried to reveal the secret of government. They were kidnapped, to the secret prison/laboratory. The main character, V, was part of this prison, he was one of the successful prisoner who survived in the biological experiment. V was kidnapped by the government, because he was claiming about the gun powder threaten.
I, personally found out that this movie was similar to the real incident that happened in North Korea. According to the people who came from North Korea, they don't know anything about other countries other than North Korea. People in this country, only believes what government tells them. Also, in the movie V for Vendetta, before the presence of V, they believed everything based on the government told them.
- In what ways does the government in the film use censorship, thought control, propaganda, and media manipulation to control its citizens?
In the film, 'V for Vendetta,' the government uses censorship, thought control, propaganda and media manipulation to control its citizens in many different ways. First of all, all of the television programs are run by the government and everything is taped so that no one could air anything live. The government reports manufactured and untrue news through BTN, a TV station. For example, when V destroys the 'Old Bailey', the news says that the 'Old Bailey' has been demolished. In addition, when V hijacks the governmental broadcast and sends his video message to all the people in the state, the news calls V a terrorist and reports that V has been killed by police even though V is still alive. In addition, video cameras are everywhere and the government posts ‘Thought. Unity. Unity. Thought. Faith.' words on the streets. Second, the government bans blacklist and censors the goods, art, and food. For example, butter is only available to high-up government personnel. Moreover, religious books like the Koran are no longer allowed as well as several pictures and art pieces. Flowers are extinct like the Scarlett Carson. In conclusion, the government uses censorship, thought control, propaganda and media manipulation to control its citizens both physically and mentally. The government uses TV programs, word posts, and banning of the items. Therefore, the government has the citizens contained in its boundary.
- What elements of the film are similar to events that have occurred historically in or the present?
The background of 'V for Vendetta' is a society being run by a totalitarian rule. Thus, a government is present that controls the lives of the citizens and defines how the society should be run. There are similar events like the film that has occurred both historically and in the present. First, "Nazi Germany and the Third Reich are common names for Germany during the period from 1933 to 1945, when its government was controlled by Adolf Hitler and his National Socialist German Workers' Party, commonly known as the Nazi Party. Under Hitler's rule, Germany was transformed into a totalitarian state where nearly all aspects of life were controlled by the state" (Wikipedia, 2013). Likewise, during the era of Nazi Germany, Adolf Hitler controlled the citizens in many different ways. For example, the Nazi government controlled the media such as radio, art, racial attitude, and daily life of the citizens such as curfew hours. Second, North Korea is a kind of totalitarian state at present. North Korea student studies only about the supreme leader of North Korea about how that leader has good done work under government's control. In addition, TV station is controlled by the government. For example, the news reports only about the leader and the country and it is done by the government. The government controls the citizens' appearance as well. For example, the citizens cannot wear clothing that is too revealing such as a miniskirt. In conclusion, there are similar events with 'V for Vendetta' film in past and at present. From the past, Nazi Germany showed similar events of controlling the citizens. Moreover, North Korea is still controlling their citizen under one leader and the government centered on him. These two events are the typical events that exemplify the governments that control the citizens as illustrated in the film. Likewise, in the past or present, a government uses censorship, thought control, propaganda, and media manipulation to control citizens.
I also noticed in the movie that many other significant and unexpected items were censored and banned in 'V for Vendetta' such as the religious book Quran and eradicating a whole species of flowers.
I didn't think of WW2 and North Korea when I was watching the movie but rather American. Because of recent leaking and discoveries that the US government is illegaly detaining and torturing people in Gitmo bay and the NSA spying on the world, It seems more applicable to the movie when WW2 or North Korea as the US seems more closer and modern to the movie, 'V for Vendetta'
Dear Eileen, you made a good summery about the government's censorship and thought control from the movie. I thank you for the stories about German and North Korea cause I haven't known that before.
This Friday, in my English class, my classmates and I watched a dystopian movie called "V for Vendetta". It was a fascinating movie that depicted England as a totalitarian country led by an extremist party called the Norsefire. This party keeps order by controlling and manipulating their citizens by establishing strict curfews, invading people's privacy, elimination of government threats and the use of censorship and propaganda on the media.
First of all, I found out the definition of Vendetta to be either 1.) A blood feud in which the family of a murdered person seeks vengeance on the murderer of the murderer's family or 2.) A prolonged bitter quarrel with or campaign against someone. The definition of Vendetta is relevant to the character as he is a sole surviving detainee at a detention center where he and other people were tortured and killed by the Norsefire Party so they would be able to create a vaccine for their own disease they have release onto British citizens.
The Norsefire party is very similar to the 1984 Oceania's party to some lesser extent because first of all, the invasion of privacy are still very present and the same between the movie and novel as the telescreen in 1984 are as same as Norsefire agents tapping into peoples home and observing their moves and private discussions. The actions of Norsefire agents are applicable today as a former NSA agent revealed that the US government have been tapping and recording phones even outside of USA.
The Norsefire party also used censorship and propaganda to gain power and supporters and eventually running as the major power in England. Some examples of the media manipulation is the destruction of the Old Bailey, which V destroyed but the government covered up saying they purposely blown it up instead of mentioning it as a terrorist act. This can also be seen as a media manipulation as the producers no longer have control of their network, only the government do and this media manipulation, censorship and propaganda was large during War time to promote their own government while shaming their enemies.
Lastly, the thought control done by the government can also be related back to 1984 as the Norsefire party release a deadly diseased on to the water supplies and an elementary, leaving many people dead. They blamed this intention on Islamic terrorist (which they confess) while providing medicine for this disease, giving a positive image on the party to the public. To relate this to 1984, when Winston Smith begs to stop the torture, he was to confess to every possible crime in Oceania.
It is quite frightful how close the movie "V for Vendetta" is to our present time because they are so well kept from us.
In “V for Vendetta”, it can be seen that the government uses censorship, propaganda and media manipulation to control its citizens in many different ways:
- Censorship:
+ The government creates curfew at 11 o’clock so people cannot leave home after that. As a result, they can freely do conversation and phone surveillance or watching people.
+ When the woman scientist died and left her diary that is believed revealing the government’s crimes, the diary was banned and considered the country’s secret.
+ Every television program, news, and internet was also controlled and has to do whatever the government requires.
+ The spokesman's death is concealed so people don't know that he was killed by the terrorist.
+ After V had distributed his masks to people, the government did not allow people to wear it and who breaks the law will be considered as criminal or terrorist.
- Propaganda:
+ There is a poster with a quote “Strength through unity, unity through faith” to persuade people believe in the government.
+ Not only did they call the destruction of the building an emergency demolition but they also let scientists talk about the building’s structure as it is very old and dangerous, and needs destroying. They wanted people believe that this was not a terror but the government’s plan.
- Media manipulation:
+ By using a fake film showing the terrorist’s death, the government want people still believe in them and don’t have any reaction against the government.
+ In the beginning of the movie, the government used the television to convince people to fight against the US.
+ Newspaper is also used to deliver the government’s lies to people.
+ In the past, the Party created a new kind of virus for biological weapon purpose, according to what they said. In fact, they spread it out to harm people and about 100 000 died. After that, they distributed via newspaper, internet, television the danger of the virus and the number of deaths. As a result, people didn’t manage to do anything but lean on the government and certainly believe that only the government can control the disease. This is the dirtiest trick was created to gain the popular belief.
From the movie, it can be recognized that there are many events relating to our real live.
- The first example is the way the government lied to people about crimes, especially political ones. They'll create a definitely new story when talking to people. In my country 2 years ago, there was a guy who tried to fight against the government. However, the government just pronounced that he was a crazy guy.
- The second example is how the government create dirty tricks such as the disease in "V for Vendetta" to take advantage and popular belief from it.
Through the film I learned to understand the potential dangers of dictatorship. Government use their power of censorship to oppress and harm people. In the movie, there is a scene in which Evie fled to colleague Gordon's home, and was worrying about bringing trouble to Gordon. Gordon told her that he has more troubles himself. Not only is there a lot of the original books and works of art that Gordon, but also is he homosexual. In order to hide his identity and insure his life he became a television entertainment program host. This shows how difficult people's lives are. Mysterious and eccentric protagonist "V" wanted to liberate people's aspirations. Although at the end, accompanied by beautiful fireworks, V died, his body and the crumbled concil building symbols for the falling of evil dictatorship and the raising of hope and new lives.
In this movie, the world led by authoritarian government restrictions on freedom of speech and to control public opinion, creating panic, set a curfew, and secret weapons manufacturing virus, and at all the experiments for the living body. Secret police is everywhere, monitor anything, any migrants, muslims, gay, or had the plague and they will be sent to concentration camps to die. The background have a common point with <1984>, they both are under an orderly space and not allowed except rules.
For goldstein's book, Orwell said. Rule group only under the condition of four types of loss of power: by outside forces or is conquered; Incompetence or a rule, the crowd up and revolt; Or that a strong and disgruntled medium group appeared; Or is your lost the confidence of the rule and the will. Four reasons for this is not a single work, to some extent always exist at the same time. Ruling classes such as can prevent the formation of these four reasons can permanent establishment. The final decisive factor is the mental state of ruling class itself. ( Quote translate by google, not the original)
Obviously, totalitarian is not working for people and that is not they are hope for. In this movie, people disgruntled and start to protest and V is the one who lead them. In the novel, although Winston still become one of them at the end, but he realized The Big Brother can't be trusted. Therefore, The destruction of the totalitarian is only a matter of time, but manipulation of government are still there. When V blow up the Old Bailey, the government explain they were doing "emergency demolition" of a structurally unsound building. Even now, people follow the government and listen to a word they say.
Regarding to the censorship lessons, our students from the English class watched a movie called V for Vendetta. This movie feels more like fantasy movie, however, it carries heavy and mature topic about our society. It shows how government controls citizens through news broadcast, propaganda, etc.
ReplyDeleteWhen the government decided to hide about V, who were constantly murdering corrupted politicians in London, they were broadcasting false news to the people. They announced that V was killed by honorable police officers and detectives. However, the fact was that they had killed a hostage, who dressed up like V. And the next morning, people realized that government was lying to them. Additionally, government had set a secret laboratory, which was using prisoners for the biological experiments. Prisoners were usually who tried to reveal the secret of government. They were kidnapped, to the secret prison/laboratory. The main character, V, was part of this prison, he was one of the successful prisoner who survived in the biological experiment. V was kidnapped by the government, because he was claiming about the gun powder threaten.
I, personally found out that this movie was similar to the real incident that happened in North Korea. According to the people who came from North Korea, they don't know anything about other countries other than North Korea. People in this country, only believes what government tells them. Also, in the movie V for Vendetta, before the presence of V, they believed everything based on the government told them.
Yes, the topic is heavy. I found out North Korea situation, too. I think that North Korea is a kind of totalitarian state at present.
Delete- In what ways does the government in the film use censorship, thought control, propaganda, and media manipulation to control its citizens?
ReplyDeleteIn the film, 'V for Vendetta,' the government uses censorship, thought control, propaganda and media manipulation to control its citizens in many different ways.
First of all, all of the television programs are run by the government and everything is taped so that no one could air anything live. The government reports manufactured and untrue news through BTN, a TV station. For example, when V destroys the 'Old Bailey', the news says that the 'Old Bailey' has been demolished. In addition, when V hijacks the governmental broadcast and sends his video message to all the people in the state, the news calls V a terrorist and reports that V has been killed by police even though V is still alive. In addition, video cameras are everywhere and the government posts ‘Thought. Unity. Unity. Thought. Faith.' words on the streets.
Second, the government bans blacklist and censors the goods, art, and food. For example, butter is only available to high-up government personnel. Moreover, religious books like the Koran are no longer allowed as well as several pictures and art pieces. Flowers are extinct like the Scarlett Carson.
In conclusion, the government uses censorship, thought control, propaganda and media manipulation to control its citizens both physically and mentally. The government uses TV programs, word posts, and banning of the items. Therefore, the government has the citizens contained in its boundary.
- What elements of the film are similar to events that have occurred historically in or the present?
The background of 'V for Vendetta' is a society being run by a totalitarian rule. Thus, a government is present that controls the lives of the citizens and defines how the society should be run. There are similar events like the film that has occurred both historically and in the present.
First, "Nazi Germany and the Third Reich are common names for Germany during the period from 1933 to 1945, when its government was controlled by Adolf Hitler and his National Socialist German Workers' Party, commonly known as the Nazi Party. Under Hitler's rule, Germany was transformed into a totalitarian state where nearly all aspects of life were controlled by the state" (Wikipedia, 2013). Likewise, during the era of Nazi Germany, Adolf Hitler controlled the citizens in many different ways. For example, the Nazi government controlled the media such as radio, art, racial attitude, and daily life of the citizens such as curfew hours.
Second, North Korea is a kind of totalitarian state at present. North Korea student studies only about the supreme leader of North Korea about how that leader has good done work under government's control. In addition, TV station is controlled by the government. For example, the news reports only about the leader and the country and it is done by the government. The government controls the citizens' appearance as well. For example, the citizens cannot wear clothing that is too revealing such as a miniskirt.
In conclusion, there are similar events with 'V for Vendetta' film in past and at present. From the past, Nazi Germany showed similar events of controlling the citizens. Moreover, North Korea is still controlling their citizen under one leader and the government centered on him. These two events are the typical events that exemplify the governments that control the citizens as illustrated in the film. Likewise, in the past or present, a government uses censorship, thought control, propaganda, and media manipulation to control citizens.
Hi Eileen
DeleteI also noticed in the movie that many other significant and unexpected items were censored and banned in 'V for Vendetta' such as the religious book Quran and eradicating a whole species of flowers.
I didn't think of WW2 and North Korea when I was watching the movie but rather American.
Because of recent leaking and discoveries that the US government is illegaly detaining and torturing people in Gitmo bay and the NSA spying on the world, It seems more applicable to the movie when WW2 or North Korea as the US seems more closer and modern to the movie, 'V for Vendetta'
Dear Eileen, you made a good summery about the government's censorship and thought control from the movie. I thank you for the stories about German and North Korea cause I haven't known that before.
DeleteThis Friday, in my English class, my classmates and I watched a dystopian movie called "V for Vendetta".
ReplyDeleteIt was a fascinating movie that depicted England as a totalitarian country led by an extremist party called the Norsefire. This party keeps order by controlling and manipulating their citizens by establishing strict curfews, invading people's privacy, elimination of government threats and the use of censorship and propaganda on the media.
First of all, I found out the definition of Vendetta to be either 1.) A blood feud in which the family of a murdered person seeks vengeance on the murderer of the murderer's family or 2.) A prolonged bitter quarrel with or campaign against someone. The definition of Vendetta is relevant to the character as he is a sole surviving detainee at a detention center where he and other people were tortured and killed by the Norsefire Party so they would be able to create a vaccine for their own disease they have release onto British citizens.
The Norsefire party is very similar to the 1984 Oceania's party to some lesser extent because first of all, the invasion of privacy are still very present and the same between the movie and novel as the telescreen in 1984 are as same as Norsefire agents tapping into peoples home and observing their moves and private discussions. The actions of Norsefire agents are applicable today as a former NSA agent revealed that the US government have been tapping and recording phones even outside of USA.
The Norsefire party also used censorship and propaganda to gain power and supporters and eventually running as the major power in England. Some examples of the media manipulation is the destruction of the Old Bailey, which V destroyed but the government covered up saying they purposely blown it up instead of mentioning it as a terrorist act. This can also be seen as a media manipulation as the producers no longer have control of their network, only the government do and this media manipulation, censorship and propaganda was large during War time to promote their own government while shaming their enemies.
Lastly, the thought control done by the government can also be related back to 1984 as the Norsefire party release a deadly diseased on to the water supplies and an elementary, leaving many people dead. They blamed this intention on Islamic terrorist (which they confess) while providing medicine for this disease, giving a positive image on the party to the public. To relate this to 1984, when Winston Smith begs to stop the torture, he was to confess to every possible crime in Oceania.
It is quite frightful how close the movie "V for Vendetta" is to our present time because they are so well kept from us.
Hi Brian
DeleteThanks for making such an awesome connection with our current society.
It provided better understanding of censorship to me.
By reading your Feedback, let me know more about the film V for Vendetta combination with the novel 1984.I agree with you opinion.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteIn “V for Vendetta”, it can be seen that the government uses censorship, propaganda and media manipulation to control its citizens in many different ways:
ReplyDelete- Censorship:
+ The government creates curfew at 11 o’clock so people cannot leave home after that. As a result, they can freely do conversation and phone surveillance or watching people.
+ When the woman scientist died and left her diary that is believed revealing the government’s crimes, the diary was banned and considered the country’s secret.
+ Every television program, news, and internet was also controlled and has to do whatever the government requires.
+ The spokesman's death is concealed so people don't know that he was killed by the terrorist.
+ After V had distributed his masks to people, the government did not allow people to wear it and who breaks the law will be considered as criminal or terrorist.
- Propaganda:
+ There is a poster with a quote “Strength through unity, unity through faith” to persuade people believe in the government.
+ Not only did they call the destruction of the building an emergency demolition but they also let scientists talk about the building’s structure as it is very old and dangerous, and needs destroying. They wanted people believe that this was not a terror but the government’s plan.
- Media manipulation:
+ By using a fake film showing the terrorist’s death, the government want people still believe in them and don’t have any reaction against the government.
+ In the beginning of the movie, the government used the television to convince people to fight against the US.
+ Newspaper is also used to deliver the government’s lies to people.
+ In the past, the Party created a new kind of virus for biological weapon purpose, according to what they said. In fact, they spread it out to harm people and about 100 000 died. After that, they distributed via newspaper, internet, television the danger of the virus and the number of deaths. As a result, people didn’t manage to do anything but lean on the government and certainly believe that only the government can control the disease. This is the dirtiest trick was created to gain the popular belief.
From the movie, it can be recognized that there are many events relating to our real live.
- The first example is the way the government lied to people about crimes, especially political ones. They'll create a definitely new story when talking to people. In my country 2 years ago, there was a guy who tried to fight against the government. However, the government just pronounced that he was a crazy guy.
- The second example is how the government create dirty tricks such as the disease in "V for Vendetta" to take advantage and popular belief from it.
Through the film I learned to understand the potential dangers of dictatorship. Government use their power of censorship to oppress and harm people. In the movie, there is a scene in which Evie fled to colleague Gordon's home, and was worrying about bringing trouble to Gordon. Gordon told her that he has more troubles himself. Not only is there a lot of the original books and works of art that Gordon, but also is he homosexual. In order to hide his identity and insure his life he became a television entertainment program host. This shows how difficult people's lives are. Mysterious and eccentric protagonist "V" wanted to liberate people's aspirations. Although at the end, accompanied by beautiful fireworks, V died, his body and the crumbled concil building symbols for the falling of evil dictatorship and the raising of hope and new lives.
ReplyDeleteIn this movie, the world led by authoritarian government restrictions on freedom of speech and to control public opinion, creating panic, set a curfew, and secret weapons manufacturing virus, and at all the experiments for the living body. Secret police is everywhere, monitor anything, any migrants, muslims, gay, or had the plague and they will be sent to concentration camps to die. The background have a common point with <1984>, they both are under an orderly space and not allowed except rules.
ReplyDeleteFor goldstein's book, Orwell said.
Rule group only under the condition of four types of loss of power: by outside forces or is conquered; Incompetence or a rule, the crowd up and revolt; Or that a strong and disgruntled medium group appeared; Or is your lost the confidence of the rule and the will. Four reasons for this is not a single work, to some extent always exist at the same time. Ruling classes such as can prevent the formation of these four reasons can permanent establishment. The final decisive factor is the mental state of ruling class itself.
( Quote translate by google, not the original)
Obviously, totalitarian is not working for people and that is not they are hope for. In this movie, people disgruntled and start to protest and V is the one who lead them. In the novel, although Winston still become one of them at the end, but he realized The Big Brother can't be trusted. Therefore, The destruction of the totalitarian is only a matter of time, but manipulation of government are still there. When V blow up the Old Bailey, the government explain they were doing "emergency demolition" of a structurally unsound building. Even now, people follow the government and listen to a word they say.