Why "The Hunger Games" angered me

Before I continue, I must say that "The Hunger Games" is really one of the best films I've watched so far this year in regards to its technical filming, acting as well as story line but the themes explored in this movie (adapted from the novel written by Suzanne Collins of the same title) really shook me violently.

Well, before I continue, I must say that this post may potentially contain spoilers so if you have yet to watch the movie and do not want me to spoil this film for you, please turn away. Also, I will be discussing some of my personal views so if you do not want to hear my 2 cents worth, please also turn away.

Now that you're prepped for my rants. Here goes...

The Hunger Games promotional poster
Source: http://collider.com/hunger-games-poster-puzzle-hunt/132394/

SOURCE: IMDB
In a not-too-distant future, North America has collapsed, weakened by drought, fire, famine, and war to be replaced by Panem, a country divided into the Capitol and 12 districts. Each year two young representatives from each district are selected by lottery to participate in The Hunger Games. Part entertainment, part brutal intimidation of the subjugated districts, the televised games are broadcast throughout Panem. The 24 participants are forced to eliminate their competitors, literally, with all citizens required to watch. When 16-year-old Katniss' young sister, Prim, is selected as the mining district's female representative, Katniss volunteers to take her place. She and her male counterpart Peeta, will be pitted against bigger, stronger representatives who have trained for this their whole lives. Written by Suzanne Collins  

That basically sums up the gist of the story without spoiling the entire thing. I'm just going to assume that everyone who's read thus far had either read the book or watched the film and are going to understand (I hope) what I'm trying to drive across so I'm not going to elaborate more on the story line. Let's drive straight to the issues I want to talk about.


Human Rights

Scene where Katniss is being escorted by agents of the Capitol
Source: http://www.usmagazine.com/entertainment/pictures/sneak-peek-the-hunger-games-2012121/19925 

Well that's the first thing that really made me stir when I watched this movie - the theme of human rights. In the film, 24 young people of the ages 12 to 18 are recruited into this game from 12 different districts controlled by the Capitol against their own rights. Knowing that out of these 24 hopefuls, only one of them will emerge as the winner while the rest of them gets killed by each other or by acts of God, the families are helpless and definitely hopeless because there's only 1 in 24 chance that they will see their child ever again.

What rights do the Capitol have to make these young people fight?! What rights do they have to snatch someone's child?! Well even though this story is obviously fictional (if it isn't, it would make my blood boil even more), this theme kinda manifest in many contexts in reality. Well, no names but mandatory service in the military is one of them (If you get it, good for you. If you don't, this happens just like the movie - you don't really have a choice).

Don't these children have the rights of choosing whether or not they want to represent their district? Who can force them to fight for something they do not want to? I mean, if the person volunteered, that could make the person a hero because they believe in what they are fighting for but if the person is forced to, then what's the point?

No one should make someone fight for something they do not believe in because it just make them feel like victims of a grand scam. Well, that's what I believe...


Children in Military

Rue - a character from the film, probably the youngest victim of the games
Source: http://www.usmagazine.com/entertainment/pictures/sneak-peek-the-hunger-games-2012121/19923

Though rare nowadays, you cannot deny the fact that children through time had been ill-treated before - for instance being drafted into the military in some nations or being forced into slavery in others. When Rue died in the film, I think I almost cried out of sadness, helplessness and anger because I don't believe that children should be treated this way. Thank goodness we are living in an age where the future are well taken care of but who knows, there may be part of the world where children are still deprived of happiness.

Furthermore, Rue is so adorable she shouldn't die! Maybe I'm just one of those people who gets angry when they kill my favorite character - like how I flipped the first time I heard that Jill Valentine was dead in Resident Evil 5 but thank goodness it turned out otherwise. But what I'm trying to say is that children should be given a chance to grow to a ripe age - everyone should be given a chance to do so! This Hunger Games thing is retarded!! Well, again, I'm thankful that it's fictional.


Oppressive Government

Effie & Katniss
Source: http://hungergamesdwtc.net/2011/12/two-more-hunger-games-stills-from-people-now-in-uhq-gale-effie-katniss/

As the proverb goes, "The poor gets poorer, the rich gets richer". In this movie, I would say that the Capitol represents an oppressive government who is sucking its districts dry. It's just like in modern days where the government taxes the people just to support it's selfish needs - in this movie, the need for high fashion which really tickles me throughout the film. In reality, this vaguely translate to North Korea - using resources to support the military and letting people starve to their death. Poor people...

Which also reminds me of how well paid some ministers are but there are people begging for money on the streets...


Necessity of War / Meaning of Peace

Katniss - Master Archer
Source: http://www.usmagazine.com/entertainment/pictures/sneak-peek-the-hunger-games-2012121/19921

I'm grateful that they decided to make this movie PG13 - which means that gory and disgusting scenes are kept to a minimal because otherwise, I think I might really flip. Throughout the film, you see lots of people die unwillingly because they were forced to play this game against their will to begin with. Furthermore, you also witness the selfish nature of how people fight for their survival and also the nicer side of humanity where they look out for one another in an attempt to rebel against this concept.

When the contestants (or in the context, the "tributes") die, I was constantly reminded of their families who are made to watch them die on screen - as though the Capitol was not sick enough to implement this game. Imagine the hurt and pain they have to go through... Also, it also reminded me of the aftermath of wars.

Are wars necessary to obtain what one needs? Are military required just to demonstrate how strong a nation is? Are they just mere decorations just to show the world that "Don't mess with me because I can kick your butt real well and make your citizens bleed to hell"? Really...?

Is throwing in so much money to create nuclear bombs at the expense of your nation going hungry necessary? Is throwing in so much money into expensive military equipment better off feeding the people or investing in health care or helping the homeless more effective in making the nation strong? Is investing so much manpower and funds into fighting imaginary enemies on imaginary terrains with imaginary weapons and imaginary troops necessary when these money can be used for a better cause?

The Reason for being angry?

Honestly, I don't know. I decided to blog this entry just to reflect on my emotions because I have never ever watched a movie that got me thinking so much - to the point where I actually got pretty angry. Maybe because some of the themes mentioned above are still true in this modern society where people think that everything seem okay. Maybe because some of the themes still affect me in this age. Things may seem peaceful but when shit happens, you never know...

Maybe because I feel like I'm just a pawn on the chessboard. Well, the Hunger Games may not be real but in different contexts of life, it may very well be. If you can see the reference I'm trying to make here, you probably would have guessed why I'm so mad but oh well... What's there I can do? I don't want to be banished to death like the 13th district of the Hunger Games fiction.

Well, I guess that's the end of my rather useless rant. Makes me feel so much better for just bitching and whining about a fictional story that somehow translate a lot into my reality.

I'm awaiting the sequels of this movie where Katniss will go kick the Capitol fat puwets for the freedom of it's oppressed citizens. I think only then will my anger for the Capitol be fully contained... 

Hopefully one day, the Capitols of the world will have their puwets kicked and they will realize that decorations are not necessary and that there are other more important matters to look at...