‘Hunger Games’ mania

JENNIFER LAWRENCE and Josh Hutcherson

I was able to watch here in the US the preview of “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire,” the sequel to the original blockbuster. It highlights the evil capital of a fictitious country called Panem that forces its 12 districts to send young boys and girls to compete in a televised death match dubbed “Hunger Games.” The young fighters become instant “celebrities” but their lives are put on the line.

The fantasy thriller centers on the love that evolved between the two District 12 contestants, Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) and Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson). Playing up the “love team” (identical to how Philippine media plays cupid out of necessity) has become the source of inspiration to Panem, whose idea of governance is reminiscent of the old Roman gladiator days that used fighting and bloodshed as a form of entertainment. Broadcast using advanced TV coverage, the authorities hope this would curb the people’s violent and resentful tendencies.

Reminiscent of Philippine media (or should I say the entertainment industry in general), television has become the primary tool to pacify its people. Unbeknownst to the Panem government, though, an uprising is already brewing.

Crafted by the same man who meticulously filmed the Will Smith-led futuristic thriller “I Am Legend,” Francis Lawrence took the helm from former director Gary Ross. Lawrence says, “I would say photographically I really liked what Gary did in terms of approaching it from a naturalistic style. My own personal version of naturalism is different than his…”

‘Hunger Games’ mania

Source: Mb.com.ph (November 29, 2013 at 10:00PM)

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