Evey Hammond

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

This is said by V in the movie V for Vendetta released in 2006. It's based on a graphic novel of the same name by Alan Moore and David Lloyd. The story is set in a futuristic world where America has been ravaged by plague and war and the United Kingdom is ruled by an ultra conservative and totalitarian government. V for Vendetta focuses on Evey Hammond who by chance meets up with V. V has a drastic plan to change things and Evey gets swept along and finds her own truth as well.

The film struck a chord with me in the way which anything or anyone different - such as different religious views or sexual orientation - is seen as disgusting, immoral and corrupt. The people have given up all of their human rights to this high chancellor in government. It goes as far as that all their calls are monitored and censor boards have made many books, songs and films illegal. The police can grab anyone in the night, torture them and make them disappear. What was scary was how easily this change had happened - how easily people had accepted this as the norm.

I love how the film explores these political and human rights concepts. And how a single idea or symbol can be so powerful and can bring about so much change.

Local elections are coming up in South Africa. I never thought I would be advocating this, but use your vote. It's one of our most important rights and one we often take for granted without even thinking.

Of course, the fact the V kicks ass accompanied by classical music only made the film so much more awesome :-).