“She has
become a beacon of hope for them. She has to be eliminated.”
The Hunger Games trilogy is as much about engaging storytelling as
it is about making a statement. While it is easy to lose track of the message
in the latest blockbuster "Catching Fire’s" awe-inspiring special
effects, intense storyline, and great acting found in the movie, its plot
is still grounded on distinctions. Here is a film where it is easy to
distinguish the rich from the poor, the strong from the weak, the ruler from
the subjects. On a societal level, the film depicts one issue above all else:
class struggles.
The Merriam-Webster defines science
fiction as – “fiction dealing principally with the impact of actual or
imagined science on society or individuals or having a scientific factor as an
essential orienting component.” In this sense, Catching fire fits the genre. It
contains scientific marvels technologies beyond current comprehension. It
dazzles with complex, sleek train systems leading to a utopia filled with
modern marvels. Also, an enhanced grasp of knowledge in the fields of medicine,
architecture, weaponry, and computer system, among many others, are displayed
in the arena where the tributes are to engage in the games. However, the
impoverished masses of the districts snarl at the population at the Capital who
have all the access to these technologies, while they have none. Perhaps the
effects of these technological advances on society can be seen most in these
respects, in connection again to class struggles, in that it may possible
create separation as well.
Administration
in the realm of the 13 districts demands obedience and respect. History is full
of totalitarian systems of governance, where the upholders of centralized power
do the same things the Capital does to the 13 districts in the film. Hitler,
Mussolini, Stalin, even to some extent Marcos, all imposed the same kind of
system wherein any kind of subversion or hints at rebellion where punished
immediately, all the while refusing to listen to the problems presented by the
people. Any form of “hope” was to be eliminated immediately. We see here that
the film does indeed reflect some of the societies of the past.
Even today, the
dichotomy of upper and lower classes in our country are well-pronounced and it
is only the upper class that are able to avail of the technologies that can be
beneficial to their livelihood and welfare. Obviously, poverty is as much a
problem in our present society as it is in the movie.
Science,
technology, and society have all failed in the movie, as even the most basic
needs of the people are not made universally available. This is despite the
advances of sciences and technology, and is caused mostly by inadequacies in
society’s governance.
Redentor E. Claudio
2013-59776
No comments:
Post a Comment