V for Vendetta and G for Gramsci – Teaching power through movies

Teaching political theory often confronts teacher and students with the dilemma of discussing too abstract or too specific about theories of key political thinkers. A new way of addressing this problem is through the use of movies in the classroom. Movies are fictions, but as they are also a representation of reality, they may enable students to better understand complex political thinking. This paper will show how the movie V for Vendetta helps to understand the political thinking of Antonio Gramsci. In particular, it will focus its analysis on Gramsci’s perspective on power. It will do so by, first, introducing Gramsci’s key concepts of hegemony and common sense. Second, it will introduce the plot of the movie and third, illustrate in selected scenes how coercion and consent are central to the concept of power. Lastly, the paper will critically reflect how movies challenge students to engage with political theory.