Hunger Games: A World of Media and Spectacles

 Introduction 

The Hunger Games (2012), directed by Garry Ross and Francis Lawrence, depicts a dystopian nation in which 12 districts are controlled and supervised by the Capitol. In this world, every year all the districts come together to prepare for the annual televised " Hunger Games event that's main purpose is to entertain the wealthy people of the Capitol and remind the lower socioeconomic classes of the consequences for previous rebellions. This film follows Katniss Everdeen, a young girl who volunteers for her sister's place in the games, who navigates intensive survival challenges and later becomes a symbol of resistance for all of the districts in Panem. Along her side as she navigates fighting both in the arena and against the Capitol's power is Peeta Mellark, the male representative of district 12. As both of them prepare to head into the arena, they realize that their relationship might be the one thing that could determine life or death for them. With the help of their mentor Haymitch, a previous victor, and their representative-- Effie-- they learn different ways to override the Capitol's power and bend the rules to stay alive. This film explores complex themes such as the impact/manipulation of media, resilience to authoritative rulers, love, and sacrifice. 

Manipulation of the Media

The Capitol uses media in the form of televised games and broadcasting the process to control the order of Panem as a society. They utilize media for various reasons that involve fear, boosting of ratings, and desire to control. One of the ways instill this control is through the sponsorship system. In the games, tributes heavily rely on sponsors to help them survive and give them the necessities needed to stay alive. In order to receive these sponsorships, the tributes are forced to uphold a certain image and work to please the residents of the Capitol. Despite being forced to participate in this brutality, the tributes experience transformation through the media and glamorized to help boost ratings, provide entertainment, and be a puppet for the Capitol's well-being. Furthermore, the dynamic between Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark takes a shift because of the pressure from the media and the sponsorship system that is controlled by the Capitol. The moment Peta declares his love for Katniss, the game makers runs with this glamorized image of them being "star-crossed lovers" and controls Katniss and Peeta to play into it by dangling the sponsorship system in front of them. Knowing that the sponsors and being on the residents of the Capitol's good side could help them survive in the arena, they were forced to uphold this image against their will. In the arena, Katniss shows hesitation when kissing Peeta in the cave as she is taking care of his leg injury. Haymitch has to remind her that both the game makers and Panem residents are watching her every move. After Katniss receives this message, we see a shift in her behavior towards Peeta and the next time she kisses him it's filled with passion and no hesitation. While this moment was filled with romantic sparks, there is a line between their actual feelings being expressed and their decision to play into the "star-crossed" lovers role that the game makers want them to uphold.  Through the game makers control of the game, the Capitol crafts different elements into the arena that forces tributes into brutal killings in hopes to boost ratings and create entertainment for the residents of the Capitol. Moments in the film that capitalize on this is when the game makers have all of the tributes start the games in the Cornucopia and place all of the weapons, armory, and food supplies in the very center for tributes to grab. This decision made by the game makers, creates a bloodbath of killings in just the first 5 minutes of the game for all residents of Panem to see. The Capitol does this to force tributes into battle to boost ratings because they know the residents watching want to see the violence and killing rather than tributes hiding or circling around each other. Furthermore when the Capitol chooses to place "gifts" in the Cornucopia towards the end of the games that contain specific items that each tribute desperately needs to survive, they intentionally force another big round of killings to help boost the ratings and increase the drama that is being televised. 

Using Media to Capture Fear 

The Capitol controls the media by instilling fear into the residents of Panem through televising the Hunger Games and implementing different environmental features in the arena to remind Panem of the power they have above everyone. During the Reaping, the Capitol plays a propaganda video that is used to control and intimidate all 12 of the districts. The video capitalizes on the past rebellions, portrays the Capitol as a heroic figure that restores order, and explains to all the districts that the creation of the Hunger Games stems from residents of Panem going against them. Visually, the Capitol makes this propaganda film intense and dramatic, using images of destruction to instill fear into the people of Panem. These films don't focus on the truth and instead reshapes the way people remember history, serves as a reminder of the power the Capitol holds, and teaches residents of Panem that submission is the only way to reach peace. The game makers continue to reinforce this fear by placing different elements of danger into the arena that could impact tributes survival, and televising it for everyone to see. Some elements that showcase the game makers control of the games is when they integrate poisonous night-lock berries, mutations, and explosive traps that are embedded into the ground all into the arena. These traps and decisions created by the game makers serve as a reminder to all residents of Panem and tributes that, although the Capitol might not be inside the arena with them, they are a huge part in determining whether these tributes can stay alive or not. This captures the aspect of fear and makes people understand that no matter how high someone might be skill wise, the Capitol is always higher and can destroy you in a heartbeat if you don't play into their game. This ultimate threat creates a sense of fear and spectacle among all 12 districts. 

Gender Representation through the Media 

 Katniss Everdeen is a very complex character that has multiple layers that persist of how she wants to be and who the Capitol makes her to be. In the film, real-world viewers see moments of her being this protector as she offers herself up as a tribute for the games in order to save her sister. Furthermore, she maintains this image of being a protector when she continuously looks out for Peeta throughout the games and takes care of his leg injury. All Katniss wants to do is protect her little sister and survive her way through the games to get back home to her family. However, along the way the Capitol intervenes and tries to force her to become this "Girl On Fire" image to help boost ratings. In the film, Katniss's hunting skills are highly showcased, proving to real-world viewers that she can be a force to be reckoned with and has qualities of independency. However, when looking at the way the Capitol markets her, we see that their main focus is capturing her love story with Peeta and glamorizing her to captivate her beauty. In the picture above, Katniss is wearing a long red dress with flames igniting on the very end. The color of the dress being red sexualizes Katniss and creates an image of desire for the public to see. In the film, Haymitch discusses the importance of Katniss dressing up for the public and explains that Peeta exploiting their love on national television makes her look more desirable which she needs. This comment really reinforces the idea that women need to hold up a physical appearance in order to gain approval in society and be in the publics favor. Katniss's abilities to hunt and fight were not good enough qualities in the Capitol's eyes therefore, upping her appearance and marketing a love story between Peeta and Katniss helped boost ratings and allow the public to see Katniss in a different light, a light that ties her down to another male figure and conforms her into this essence of beauty for residents of the Capitol to fawn over. However her resistance of this transformation doesn't go unnoticed as well. Her character begins to act as a symbol of resiliency and breaks away from the traditional female stereotypes as she honors Rue's death in the arena by laying out a bed of flowers and holding up a three finger salute that sparks an act of defiance within the districts. Her bravery and independence proceeds to shine through, although the Capitol tries to downplay it, and in the final moments of the game she emphasizes her bravery even more by going against the rules of the Capitol when she refuses to kill Peeta. Her behaviors and the way she carries herself showcases her character in a way that embodies both feminine and masculine traits. 

Final Thoughts

The intensity and brutality this film holds is something that does not go unnoticed. There is a series of complex ideas and messages that are spread out through characters, dialogue, setting, etc. The media's role of expressing control and power over Panem not only influences the way tributes and the community as a whole present themselves, but also emphasizes the fear that is being forced into people's minds on a day to day basis. 

Works Cited 

The Hunger Games. Dir. Garry Ross and Francis Lawrence. Lionsgate. 2012.