The 2012 film The Hunger Games , directed by Gary Ross, provides a complex and relevant commentary on contemporary social issues. The film is based on the 2008 novel of the same name written by Suzanne Collins and centres around a young girl trying to survive in a dystopian society. This is complicated by the annual event of “the hunger games”, where children must fight to the death in order to return home. The film examines ways in which the upper class are oblivious or at least choose to ignore the suffering of less fortunate lower classes, and also explores how upper classes benefit from and encourage the oppression of lower classes. Additionally, the film provides a contemporary portrayal of the female gender through the character of Katniss,
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An idea referenced throughout the film and demonstrated through visual language is that the upper class ignores the suffering of less fortunate demographics. This concept is displayed in the first reaping scene where Effie Trinket selects the candidates from district 12. Dialogue is used in this scene to emphasise her lack of empathy. Effie uses words such as “honour”, “courageous,” and “happy” when speaking about the children competing in the Hunger Games. By using these words with uplifting and heroic connotations, it is clear that Effie doesn’t see the Hunger Games as a cruel and unfair punishment, but rather as a wonderful opportunity for the young entrants. She is oblivious to the despair and suffering it brings to the lower districts. This is a representation of the modern class system, particularly that of America, with Effie representing the upper class while the districts represent the lower working class. Effie’s body language also adds to this since she remains joyful, excited, and confident throughout the scene even when confronted by Prim’s obvious distress. Effie smiles even as Prim is …show more content…
In a scene showing a conversation between President Snow and Seneca (the game-maker), dialogue is used to enforce this idea. President Snow states “hope is the only thing stronger than fear…a lot of hope is dangerous”. This shows that snow is aware of the lower district’s misfortune and that by giving them some hope allows them to persevere; however, he is also aware that too much hope is dangerous as it challenges his control over the lower class. As the president, Snow is able to constrict the lower district’s hope and thus regulate them. He does this in order to maintain his authority and simultaneously ensure his privileged lifestyle is not influenced by the lower districts as he relies on them for resources and labour. There is also a subtle use of symbolism in this scene, as Snow is shown pruning a hedge and cutting off small twigs. This symbolises Snow’s precise control over minute details, including the districts. It suggests that he executes total control over the districts in the same manner, and that Snow perhaps “prunes” the districts in the same manner, removing unsightly individuals that cause unrest and disorder. It implies that he holds constricting influence over the districts in order to suppress their voices so that he and other citizens of the higher
An idea referenced throughout the film and demonstrated through visual language is that the upper class ignores the suffering of less fortunate demographics. This concept is displayed in the first reaping scene where Effie Trinket selects the candidates from district 12. Dialogue is used in this scene to emphasise her lack of empathy. Effie uses words such as “honour”, “courageous,” and “happy” when speaking about the children competing in the Hunger Games. By using these words with uplifting and heroic connotations, it is clear that Effie doesn’t see the Hunger Games as a cruel and unfair punishment, but rather as a wonderful opportunity for the young entrants. She is oblivious to the despair and suffering it brings to the lower districts. This is a representation of the modern class system, particularly that of America, with Effie representing the upper class while the districts represent the lower working class. Effie’s body language also adds to this since she remains joyful, excited, and confident throughout the scene even when confronted by Prim’s obvious distress. Effie smiles even as Prim is …show more content…
In a scene showing a conversation between President Snow and Seneca (the game-maker), dialogue is used to enforce this idea. President Snow states “hope is the only thing stronger than fear…a lot of hope is dangerous”. This shows that snow is aware of the lower district’s misfortune and that by giving them some hope allows them to persevere; however, he is also aware that too much hope is dangerous as it challenges his control over the lower class. As the president, Snow is able to constrict the lower district’s hope and thus regulate them. He does this in order to maintain his authority and simultaneously ensure his privileged lifestyle is not influenced by the lower districts as he relies on them for resources and labour. There is also a subtle use of symbolism in this scene, as Snow is shown pruning a hedge and cutting off small twigs. This symbolises Snow’s precise control over minute details, including the districts. It suggests that he executes total control over the districts in the same manner, and that Snow perhaps “prunes” the districts in the same manner, removing unsightly individuals that cause unrest and disorder. It implies that he holds constricting influence over the districts in order to suppress their voices so that he and other citizens of the higher