Induction Task: The Hunger Games

Film Studies Tasks:                                                                                                                               

Task 1:

Film selected:  The Hunger Games

Originally a book series by Suzanne Collins but interpreted into film directed by Gary Ross, ’The Hunger Games’- released in 2012- is set in an dystopian North America but now called Panem. Panem is split into 12 districts and are named District 1 through to District 12. They all have different roles supporting the Capitol. The Capitol being the wealthiest and District 12 being the poorest.Years ago, there was an uprising within Panem. Citizens were sick of being mistreated and not respected or cared for properly by The Capitol. This resulted in mass death and destruction and the death an entire district, District 13. The Hunger Games is designed to keep the remaining citizens in fear of the Capitol, using the games as a reminder of the power and control the Capitol has over all districts. The Hunger Games are in punishment for the uprising. Each of the 12 districts must provide one girl and one boy to participate in the games. They are called tributes. On eligibility and the number of times your name is in the pool to be drawn from; you become eligible for the reaping the day you turn twelve. This process is called the Reaping. Altogether, the total 24 tributes must fight to the death until one survives, where a tribute becomes a victor. This is the first of four films which focus on Katniss Everdeen- the main protagonist- and her story. 

One of the key scenes, in my opinion, is the Reaping for 74th Annual Hunger Games. Primrose Everdeen (Katniss’ sister) is chosen to participate in the games. Katniss volunteers to take her place as she wants to protect her and the people she loves. This is a very iconic and a powerful moment in the film as it shows Katniss sacrificing her own life to save her sister. This is also shown by her reaching her arms out to her sister resembling Katniss is like a mother figure to her sister as she tries to protect her anyway she can, even if that does mean putting herself at risk. As Katniss lives in District 12, it is very unusual to have volunteers to step forward to take someone else’s place. This response is shown by the peacekeeper’s reactions and the shock when Katniss steps up to replace Primrose.

I believe this is a significant scene from ‘The Hunger Games’ as it is emotional as Katniss puts herself at risk to save her sister. This effect is created as the surrounding people in the crowd of the Reaping are silent. The only sound is of the conversation between the two siblings, Primrose crying and Katniss trying to take control of the situation. Due to Katniss’ actions, she is perceived to be a strong and brave individual. This is a clear demonstration of who Katniss is and what she is willing to do to keep the people she loves in her life safe.  

Further on in the film- during the games- Katniss makes an ally with Rue, another tribute from District 10. Katniss describes Rue to be very similar to her own sister. Because of this extra connection between both characters, this makes the bond between them emotional and more of a valuable ally. Rue is captured and hurt by another tribute, by a spear thrown at her chest. Birds stop singing and everything becomes eerily silent. Katniss couldn't save her, resulting in Rue to die. At this point in the film, there isn't much conversation. Before Rue dies, she asked Katniss to sing to her. As Katniss does this, the incidental music fades into the main sound of the scene from initially being quite quiet background music then gradually transforming to the dominant part of the scene. From then the camera shots go from how Katniss in the games, saluting with the three finger symbol as a sign of respect, to District 10 who see Katniss and the loss they both share.

This is another key sequence from the film because of Katniss’ help to support Rue to survive. She pays her respects to Rue and to District 10, as she knows the citizens in the district that Rue lived in would be watching. The three finger salute is the powerful symbol in the scene which motivates District 10 to start rebelling against The Capitol by rioting. This is my favourite scene as it demonstrates such a raw and painful emotion but then transforms that into a more passionate response to fight back. 

Task 2:

Dystopian fiction incorporates issues and themes such as poverty, an oppressive government, propaganda and power. Dystopia refers to a society that is dysfunctional and characterised by general suffering of the people, dehumanising and the surroundings being as unpleasant as possible. This is the opposite of a utopia, which is considered to be perfect, peaceful and with no social issues. 

One of the biggest and most key issues, in my opinion, is poverty. Money effects everyone. Whether that’s if you can't get a good paying job and therefore aren't earning enough money and under the poverty line, or if you have no money what’s so ever and can't buy the basic needs to stay alive and support your family. Money is required in every family. Some more than others, depending how many mouths there are to feed. Money is an issue in today’s society too and a social issue the world has suffered for many years. Not having money isn't just the issue.Overall money is the basics of everything. Simply if don’t have any, you can't afford clothes, food, heath care and an education depending which country you live in. 

 
Typically films which feature examples of dystopian futures, the issues of poverty still exists. Some may be more extreme but all more critical and serious than the situation with money in society currently. Doing this for cinematic, dramatic and entertainment effect. Also to maybe emphasise certain features or characters within the story. In films like ‘The Hunger Games’, there is a still a class divide, separation and hierarchy between many people. Basically splitting people into two groups. Being extremely poor and being ridiculously wealthy. No ‘in the middle’ or any space in-between. Either you're one or the other. Again using ‘The Hunger Games’ as an example, the people who are in total control and have overall power are very wealthy and are selfish as they don't want to share or donate any support at all to others less fortunate than themselves. This may be a prediction of many film directors or what they perceive that our society and world will eventually turn out as. Each showing their different views through their work and demonstrating how we are slowly killing off the human race and our whole existence by being ignorant, selfish and stubborn. 

Another reason why our world will turn into a dystopia instead of a utopia is that over history, humans have damaged the world so much to the point we abuse it so regularly and don't take under consideration how to stop, then start help other people less fortunate than ourselves to work towards world peace and slowly rebuild it, striving towards a cleaner, nicer and happier way of living, a utopia. In conclusion, no matter what the social issues are- whether that be poverty or not- the issues will never be resolved and fixed as that is the purpose of a dystopia genre.