The Hunger games (2012) : Three scenes Deconstruction

A vital element of the storyline in this film is the idea of the public being “sick”; the film depicts the power the media has over the citizens of the twelve districts of the fictional city “Panem”.  In the opening of the film the mise en scene depicts (a rural village “district 12”) offering up two of their under eighteens as “tributes” to enter into the nationally aired television show “Hunger Games”. The idea of the Hunger game is an adapted form of survival of the fittest; each pair of tributes must kill to survive- whilst the citizens of Panem are forced to watch. The sole purpose of the games is to keep control of the outer districts of Panem, to prevent uprising and rebellion as the people have grown restless due to poverty and segregation of classes i.e. working or middle. Yet it disguises this warning by making the brutality a form of entertainment and allowing the public to feel a sense of ownership to the games as public support can help the tribute be provided with food and help with essentials, making them become involved.

The hunger games: Three Scenes deconstruction

Focusing on the theme- The public are sick and morbid fascination

Points to focus on-

“The public are sick”

·         Camera shots

·         Mise en scene

·         Editing

·         Sound

Deconstruction of my chosen scenes: The opening: Editing is used here to insert a series of speech;

• I have selected this scene from the film which demonstrates this idea of “us” the public, being twisted.
• The text is slowly enlarged; this is done to create emphasis, so that the audience will focus on the words, giving them more impact.
• Layout- The simplicity of the plain black background and the clear typography- white font is also used to create emphasis and make sure that the words are read by the audience with clarity. The layout also makes the words seem like they have more weight; they appear similar to forms of legislation, this idea is also created by using the word “Treaty” as the word connotes law, a form of contract or a statute.  Another word used in the first line of text is “Treason” which connotes to audience a sense of danger, as historically “Treason” has always been one of the worst crimes- treason against the state.  The sentence structure is also short; giving it the power of a command or statements, yet again making it appear as a piece of law. The connotations of law are generally; something strict, necessary, respected so this gives further weight to the statement and infers that these are rules which are going to be of high importance during the games.
• The simplicity of the text additionally takes away from the text any emotion, making the words seem clinical and cold, this could have been done to give a sense that the makers behind the games are also “cold” and “emotionless”.

• In this piece of text the statements take a more biblical tone “in penance” connoting a sin or a serious error has occurred.
•  It also says “shall offer up” the use of the word “shall” implying the act is not necessarily voluntary. Also, the use of this phrase gives a sense that these children are being used as a “sacrifice”, which is stereotypically a plot found within most thriller/horror movies.
• “Reaping” is another word used, the connotations of reaping are collection tied closely to death, playing on the idea of the “Grim Reaper” who brings death, by taking souls to die. The use of this word effectively gives the audience a sinister impression at the opening of the film. Creating a sense of foreboding or fear at the beginning of the film is a common feature in the thriller genre. The film does this in a un conventional way; instead of using footage or sound (like the opening of ‘The Chainsaw massacre’) it uses no sound and instead creates an ominous feel through text.
• Age- Is also important as it shows that the females and males being offered are children, which creates an un-ease with the audience as children connote innocence and naivety, yet in this sense they’re being used as “penance”.
• Editing is used here to split the text; this is the first part of the statement to appear. This is done to create a dramatic pause giving the next statement more impact.
• This last piece of text slowly enlarges till it is bigger than the previous line, stressing its message.
• It informs the reader of the basic concept of “The Hunger Games” telling the audience that it they are designed to be watched “public arena” and also that the games are deadly “Fight to the Death.” Again the use of language is a key element, as there is no mise en scene to distract the audience’s attention.  Instead of using “Fight for Survival” which is more subtle, the word “Death” has been used connotations being high danger, fear, and blood- all conventional within a thriller.

The first scene: Where Katniss walks through her village to hunt for food in the woods.

• Early into the film there is a montage of shots; the first shot represents the poverty of the district- showing tiny old houses- greying wood, and curtain less windows.
• A long shot of a man perched on his rocking chair sucking on a bone- the use of props is important in this shot, as bones have been used to show the desperation, and extent of hunger (the behaviour of the man is animalistic- like a dog craving for a meal, and instantly identifies with the audience the starvation felt in District 12).
• Another long shot shows a series of men walking to work- the use of costume; grey and white dusty, grimy overalls and hard hats are used to connote the idea that these are labouring men (actually coal miners).
• The facial expressions of the workers are gloomy- suggesting their grudge against their harsh working conditions.
• Props- each hold an empty still cup, symbolic of the lack of wealth in the area.

This scene is important in setting a background for katniss, showing the comparison between those “who have” and those “who don’t” – this use of juxtaposition is commonly exploited by film makers to create a sense of apathy within the audience.

The crowd betting on the games:

•  Mise en scene: Use of costume is again important, a montage of medium shots, shows hundreds of characters; dressed in highly rich coloured clothing- purple, navy and oranges (are the most common).

             How does this link to the public being sick:

The idea of having children “fight to the death” is twisted and registers within a modern audience concern and disgust, as we view children as something to be protected. This feeling of vulgarity is heightened because it takes place in public, and is described as a “game”. Use of the word “game” again plays on the conventions of something innocent and this perception is inverted and warped because this game is about “killing” with “a lone victor” at the end.  Because these ideas appear so wrong to traditional “morals” it implies that those who are watching it “the public” must be twisted or “sick”. And this idea is satirised throughout the film, as it is taken to an extreme; using reality TV to broadcast killing and murder as a “sport” or a form of “entertainment”.