Normally hearing the term “Colonise”, the idea that pops up on each individuals head is a country pushing itself to another. Colonise by definition is the process of infiltrating a given space with usually subversive militants for propaganda and strategy reasons (Merriam Webster). Who would blame these individuals for believing that being “colonised” is only possible by outsiders force when in reality being colonised can happen from within. Politics, the Government, Individuals, these can also make fellow citizens feel “colonised” by instilling unto them the feeling of “otherness”. After all, whose to say how each individual feels other than themselves.
The film V is for Vendetta surrounds itself with a dystopian England of 1997 , straight after a great famine, widespread disease, and a devastating war. This then led to the sudden shift of government from a democracy to a facist dictatorship. The sudden shift led to harsh treatments specifically on its lower subjects which then resulted to a police state. Living was entirely an idea for there was no freedom and everyone was silenced. No one wanted to change the current state of England mainly because of fear hence why someone had to stand up for it. V, was the only one who stood up against the brutality of the said government. Acting as a superhero figure; wearing black hat, a mask, and a “Zoro” themed clothes. Destroying buildings, fighting authority, and humiliating them is what makes V a succesful protester.
Other than being shown automatic feeling of “otherness”, the theory by Franz Fanon and Edward Said can be seen all through out the film. Specifically the theory of “Decolonisation” and “Otherness”. Decolonisation thrives in the movie. This is the end goal of V after-all. Reclaiming and reconstructing what the government took away from all these citizens. Ever since day one (01) V was determined to remind his fellow citizens that freedom is as important as it is to breath air. V wanted to remove the reigning power of these devilish politicians, never to utilise what they have made but to remake and make better the government for its people. Imagine V as the country speaking and Evey as the spokesperson of the people. V was side tracked when he met Evey mainly because he sees himself in her. The drive and eagerness to change the brutality of the government they are living on. Hence why as V continues his plan of waking the citizens out, what better way to do that by one who has felt it all. Evey in the film was a personification of the citizens waking up to all the inhumane treatment they’ve felt. The government in the movie was literally treating its citizens as if they weren’t one. Shootings, Extra Judicial Killings (E.J.K), and many more brutality were conformed by the people. Instead of feeling at home, the citizens felts as if they were an “Other”. The government wasn’t built for the citizens rather they were built for their own interest. This has been a prominent happening in the whole movie. Hence the wakeup call initiated by V and finished by Evey.
V is somewhat a vigilante. Protect its countrymen and the ideals of once a utopian England. The real enemy of his is the government itself. Swore to protect and serve the country, V not once, did believe such hypocrisy. He was once detained in the Lark-hill Resettlement Camp. This camp was notorious in confining or keeping the “enemies of the state” away from access to their rights. Usually when an individual becomes oppress there is fear and trauma instilled in the individual already. However V, while having said trauma, used it to his advantage to make a change. I guess the colonial mentality or conforming without sufficient evidence of any doings didn’t consume his ideals. When V died, He entrusted his/her plans to Evey where he awakened from the governments injustice. When the detective saw Evey, he wondered why the sudden change of tone with regards to the government. She simply answered “someone has to be the spark for change…for the better”. The movie ended with a bombed parliament, citizens down the streets to protest and finally fight for their rights, and a rebirth of the country.
Colonialism, in my opinion, does not only mean a country setteling in another space found in a country without justified claims. Colonialism can also be found within the government. Ideals that are different yet flushed in a society that wishes to throw it out. Human rights being taken away, especially freedom, is an example of suppression of ones own values, norms, and ideals which can easily be compared to a colonised country. After getting the hopes of the citizens or individuals in a given area, promising to provide ample amount of support, suddenly becomes corrupted for its own true intention. Itself.
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