Primetime Backyard Movie Series - V for Vendetta (2006)

Remember, Remember
The Fifth of November
The Gunpowder Treason and Plot

In 1605, a desperate group led by two Jesuit priests and upset by the continued persecution of Catholics in the relatively newly minted Protestant England hatched a plot to assassinate King James I and most of the members of the House of Lords by exploding dozens of barrels of gunpowder in an underground chamber beneath where they were set to meet on November 6. A letter sent to the authorities tipped off the guards, and the plot was foiled when, the night before the assembly, the dynamite was discovered being guarded by one man, a former military commander named Guy Fawkes, who although he was not the instigator or leader of the failed plot, would forever be associated with its bloody and cultural aftermath. Under suspected torture, Fawkes would give up the names of his co-conspirators, most of whom had fled London. They were quickly captured. Those who were not killed in the fight would later be hung, drawn and quartered, including Fawkes himself. Seen by the Protestant church (or at least capitalized on it by them) as a kind of "divine deliverance" against "the Papists" and the Catholic Church, a national holiday was declared that would called "Guy Fawkes Night", and later, "Bonfire Night" or "Fireworks Night", so named because of the custom of burning an effigy of Guy Fawkes (and sometimes, the Pope) in celebration. This holiday was exported across the British empire including, for awhile, the British Colonies in North America.

However, as anti-Catholic sentiment started to wane, the British government started to see these celebrations as both counter-productive and physically and politically dangerous. But by the time the drunken revelries were banned, the public had adopted them in much the same way as the Americas adopted the pagan rites of Halloween. In order to avoid arrest, participants in the ongoing local festivals often donned masks, ironically, with the face of Guy Fawkes. This now familiar mask continues to this day as a symbol of anarchy, rebellion, and resistance, particularly against what are seen as repressive governments and secretive corporate control. It has been used by both the left and the right in this manner. But in and of itself it is politically neutral, and it meant to serve as a reminder, as the main character says in this movie, that:

People should not be afraid of their governments. Governments should be afraid of their people.

Enter V FOR VENDETTA, my favorite movie of 2006 and definitely on my all-time favorites list (as I know it is for many people), although it is sometimes hard to disentangle it from whatever political movement is in power at the time of viewing. In addition to it being a technically beautiful piece of filmmaking, its story and themes are remarkably resilient and adaptable, and people always seem to see themselves in it regardless of what their disparate personal beliefs may be.

Based on a dark series of graphic novels by Brit Alan Moore, V FOR VENDETTA sets its tale in a near-future dystopia. The world has been ravaged by a terrible plague (20 years before Covid), with most of today's world powers (including Russia, China, and the United States) weakened and reduced to third world status. The exception is Great Britain who, using its geographic advantage of being an island, immediately closed its borders to the threat and became ruled by a popular but brutal fascist leader (played by John Hurt) that cracks down on any dissent with extreme prejudice. In general, the populace is cowed and terrified by the ruling minority with one exception - a mysterious and anonymous anarchist vigilante who wears a Guy Fawkes mask and who is known only as "V". When V intercedes one night in the assault of a young woman named Evey (Natalie Portman) by fascist police thugs in a dark alley, the stage is set as a battle for Evey's soul between her natural belief in the system despite its contradictions and cruelties and V's insistence that the world is only this way because the people allow it to be this way.

What follows is a violent and sometimes bloody (although not graphically so) cross between Shakespearean tragedy, philosophy, politics, and yes, comic books. It is a remarkable mixture, and often facilitates a great deal of introspection in the viewer once they get over the comic book sci-fi melodrama and silly costumes. There's not many movies that can say that, and I never tire of watching it. I hear or see something new every time I do. You may not like it. But I challenge you to not be impacted by it.

Presenting our sixth season of our Primetime Backyard Movie Series, where we'll all get together during good weather armed with our bug spray and lawn chairs to watch a variety of movies.

I have the movies. I have the projector. I have a sort of giant (for a backyard at least) 10 foot screen. I even have a long, narrow but semi-deep backyard with a giant oak tree that will silently watch over us as we relive our youth at the drive-in and make fun of those making out on the back row.

There will be free hot dogs, movie candies, movie nachos, and popcorn. Feel free to bring other stuff if you want, including your own lawn chair. I have some spares and some blankets, but not enough for a full house. BYOB. I'll have some soft drinks and water as well.

We'll socialize for about an hour before the movie, which will start promptly at dusk (about 8:30 pm), along with an Alamo Drafthouse -style preshow as you enter.

RAIN POLICY - I'll post here if we have to reschedule for weather or other unforeseen events. Just check here before you head this way.

CARPOOLS - My parking around here really is limited thanks to overbuilding on nearby lots, so carpooling or Uber is encouraged. Uber-Waymo Robotaxis are common in this neighborhood if you've been wanting to try one.