Children of Men and V for Vendetta comparison

V for Vendetta and Children of Men

Mis-en-Scene Analysis and comparison

Children of Men is a film based in and around a dystopian, post- apocalyptic London in the year 2027, these specific dates and type of location could be used to send a message to the audience. That message being that in one of the most well known capitals in the world, if we do not perhaps change the type of society we live in, this could may well be a future for the human race. In comparison to V for Vendetta, it is set against the futuristic landscape of totalitarian Britain, both films are placed in a similar locations and both set in the future, but in V for Vendetta, it is not made clear what exact year the film is based is which could be interpreted. As the director sending a message that any society could become one such as one in the film and we should therefore always be aware of what is happening and changing in our society and to not always conform to society's demands.

During Children of Men there are many props used in the film as visual devices. For instance, the audience knows that the setting is in the future so they may be expecting futuristic technology and weaponry, but as can be seen in the film is quite the opposite. The director could have done this to convey a message to the audience that if we remain oblivious to what the government and the media do to society, we could bring an apocalyptic nightmare upon ourselves which would stop any advancements towards the future for a very long time.

In comparison to Children of men there is a large presence of weaponry, although the main protagonist V plants roses on his enemies when they die and gives them out to his allies, this represents V with a lot of respect for human life as well as a lot of compassion towards his allies which contrasts from Theo since in the beginning of the film when the youngest person in the world is murdered of live television, he isn't really bothered and pours liquor in to his coffee. So quite early on Theo could be portrayed to the audience as not very compassionate which could be what the director tried to do. So that it could perhaps show a progression from not a very caring person to a strong courageous hero. The rose is also however very symbolic, especially since it is a red rose since the colour red is used during many in revolutions in history, specifically the rise of communism in Russia which could suggest that the director could have obtained his inspiration from the rise of communism.

In terms of the costumes used in Children of Men, there is a large presence of military uniforms, riot squads, police uniforms as well as militarized police. This theme of military uniforms could suggest that their are constant threats, for example of this is the very first scene in the film where the youngest person in the world is murdered by a terrorist organisation that formed after the apocalypse. The presence of military costumes could be interpreted as that this newly formed post-apocalyptic society would like to rule like a possible dictatorship, keeping people from joining any rebellions, attempting to stop a recreation of the apocalypse they lived through.

In comparison to Children of Men there is a large presence of military uniforms and militarized police, as well as there being secret police which could be the director referencing to Hitler and his police, since the society in Germany during Hitler's dictatorship was a totalitarian society, the same to the society portrayed in V for Vendetta. V's costume in particular is very symbolic since he is wearing clothes similar to Guy Fawkes, as well as a mask formed in Guy Fawkes' image which could be interpreted as the director trying to fit in an historical theme as if this revolution if it were real will go down in history. V also has blush on his mask. which could represent that he has feminine qualities, or could be interpreted as V rejecting male stereotypes and to
communicate the idea to rebel to conformity, which could also be suggested as a message that the director is trying to send to their audience.

The lighting in Children of men was quite dreary throughout the film, especially during the battle when Theo gets injured and whenever there are immigrants present in scenes. This dark lighting during the film could have been used to foreshadow the dark events that will occur during the film. The fog at the end of the film could be used to represent death taking Theo or suggesting a clouded future for Kee as she leaves the battle on the boat. In comparison every time that there is a focus on V,  the lighting on him seems brighter, and his mask whiter. This could suggest that V is a symbol of purity in a totalitarianism society.

The body language in V for Vendetta, V is sophisticated and elegant in the way that he speaks and acts, for example when V bows to Evie which could suggest before he became V he was perhaps from a higher class in society but, chose to revolt toward this society in later life. In the scene where Evie has her hair shaved her body language changed. Instead of the stereotypical damsel role she becomes more of a heroine, she stands and speaks sophisticated, acts more confident, similarly to V. This could be interpreted as a message from the director that the government should perhaps be more afraid of the public since all it takes is one person to begin a revolution, gain enough supporters eventually and the old government is out.

When V and Evie are in a scene together, there is usually not much space between them. This could foreshadow V and Evie have an intimate relationship late in the film which we later find they do. However, in Children of men, the space is very different, it is used when Theo dies and the baby leaves on the ferry. This could represent Theo as a generation dying and the baby could be a representation of a new one beginning.