[Script Info]
Title: 
[Events]
Format: Layer, Start, End, Style, Name, MarginL, MarginR, MarginV, Effect, Text
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In my last video I took a look at Suzanne Collins' dynamic young protagonist Katniss Everdeen and
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,deconstructed her character in relationship to gender, violence and feminism
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,over the course of the first novel in the Hunger Games trilogy.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,If you haven’t seen it yet, go ahead and check it out.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The Hunger Games movie adaptation directed by Gary Ross
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and starring Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss, was released in March 2012.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The film broke records at the box office proving yet again, that women can lead successful blockbuster films.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Take note Hollywood.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I had two big concerns going into the movie.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,First, that the violence would be glamorized,
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,especially considering the medium of cinema tends to sensationalize explicit violence and gore.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I was pleasantly surprised that the filmmakers strategically chose to limit the depictions of violence
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and largely avoided celebrating the bloodshed.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,My second concern was that Katniss’ character would be sexualized on screen,
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,thankfully the filmmakers very intentionally chose not to sexualize her at all,
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,even in a scene when she’s taking a bath.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This is a truly remarkable accomplishment given
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Hollywood system that insists on sexualizing practically all their female leads on and off screen.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Obviously, whenever a novel is turned into a movie there
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,will be notable differences because of time constraints and other factors.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Let’s take a look at just a few of those differences.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,If you haven’t read the book or seen the movie yet (spoilers) fair warning.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,While reading the book we are inhabiting Katniss’ mind, via first person narrative.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,following her inner dialogue so we know her fears, desires, and needs,
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in a much more intimate way then the film can deliver.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This isn’t necessarily a flaw in the movie but I did feel like the horror of the Hunger Games themselves,
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and the debilitating fear and anxiety that the tributes would feel didn’t come across quite as well.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,However, on screen we are given some hints and clues into the complex feelings of Katniss
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,via Jennifer Lawrence’s incredible acting
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and because the camera was allowed to linger long enough for her non verbal expressions to come through.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,A lesser actor wouldn’t have been able to pull this off.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Although I did really enjoy the movie there are a few major shortcomings worth mentioning in the film adaptation.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,While I was impressed with the overall look and feel of the wealthy Capitol city,
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,it was disturbing that the art directors chose to have effeminate and apparently queer men
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,exist only as part of the decadent, superficial and rather sociopathic ruling class society.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The decision to portray genderbending as somehow exclusively
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the product of uber high fashion elitism is deeply problematic.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In the first novel, it is made clear that Katniss (and presumably the other tributes) are
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,hyper aware that their every move and action is being watched and scrutinized by the arena audience,
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,much like the reality TV shows of today.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So in addition to trying to survive, the tributes are performing and acting
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,as a way to gain sympathy and gifts from sponsors.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Strangely, this performative layer to the story is not emphasized or prioritized in the movie,
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,at least while they are inside the arena.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So for instance, in the book it’s made clear that Katniss is faking her affection for Peeta
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in order to solicit medical supplies while, in the movie
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,its more ambiguous and we are lead to believe that she may be genuine in her feelings for him.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Later, what’s interesting about the novel is that Katniss has difficulty separating the performative aspects
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of her relationship with Peeta for any genuine affections they might feel for one another,
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,underneath all the pretense.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Secondly, when I watched this film in a packed theater on opening night,
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I experienced this horrible moment of cognitive dissonance in the scene where Thresh brutally murders Clove,
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the young, female tribute from district 2.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Here is the problem,
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we as the audience in the real world are watching a story in which, a fictional capitol audience in turn
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is watching and deriving pleasure from the murder of children.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So understandably, you and I are supposed to be horrified by the whole media spectacle of the Hunger Games.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But when Clove’s head is bashed in and her lifeless body is thrown to the ground,
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the real life audience in the theater I was in actually cheered and gained satisfaction from her death.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Ironically, we are encouraged by the filmmakers,
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,through the construction of this scene to behave in the same way that the Capitol audience does.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Disturbingly, the filmmakers intend us to enjoy Clove’s murder
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and see it as justified because they have set her up as a dehumanized and ruthless figure.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This is an utter failure on the part of the filmmakers to be consistent about portraying the horror of the death of children.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,If the filmmakers are trying to make any statement at all about the reprehensible nature of the hunger games,
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,they need to be consistent about all deaths as being just as horrific.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The fact that Clove’s death wasn’t portrayed as appalling, was a major failing.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Interestingly, even when Cato, the main villain in the arena is killed,
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we weren’t meant to celebrate his death, and I’ll go into that in just a second.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Although, Jennifer Lawrence does a phenomenal job in the role of Katniss,
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we should take a moment to talk about race and casting in the film.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In the book Collins clearly describes Katniss as having olive skinned and straight black hair,
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,so you’d think that the casting call would reflect that,
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,asking for actors with olive skin and straight black hair.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But, in fact, the casting call specified that only Caucasian actors
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,would be allowed to audition for the role of Katniss.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Unfortunately, this is not just an issue with just one film or one casting department in one studio,
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,this is a problem across the board, everywhere in Hollywood.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And one of the major consequences of this type of systemic whitewashing is that the stories of women of color
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,rarely make it on to the big screen and actors of color aren’t even allowed to audition for most leading roles.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,For more information on challenging white washing in Hollywood check out the Racebending website.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I do want to point out a couple things that I think the movie did better than the original novel.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,First, the film’s format allows us to see multiple events happening simultaneously in different locations.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So when Katniss shows compassion for the fallen Rue and then signal’s her solidarity with Rue’s District 11,
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we are shown a cutaway of the spontaneous uprising in that district.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This is missing from the book but ends up being one of the most powerful and effective moments in the movie.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,While I think one of the major failings of the book and the movie was that there was no attempt,
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,not even a little bit, to humanize the career tributes including Cato, Clove, Glimmer and Marvel.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In the movie especially, they are portrayed as completely sadistic,
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,inhuman monsters who take pleasure in killing to an exaggerated and unbelievable degree.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,However, the film version treats Cato slightly differently towards the end.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In the scene where the three remaining players are trapped on top of the cornucopia,
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,an emotionally distraught Cato, laments the fact that all he knows about life is killing.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,He realizes that he isn’t going to emerge victorious and we see his carefully constructed,
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,entitled reality fall to pieces. We are given a glimpse of the human being underneath the learned savagery.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,During this interaction, Cato turns towards the sky taunting the game makers and the capitol,
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,saying are we giving you a good show in a desperate and unhinged voice.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This is a critical humanizing moment that illustrates
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the twisted brutality of the games and its emotional impact on even the most ruthless players.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This stands in stark contrast to the novel where Cato is completely dehumanized from beginning to end.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I’m really glad the film made this change, but I wish they had also humanized
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the other career tributes, at least a little bit.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So in conclusion, I still highly recommend reading the first book and highly recommend going to see the film.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I think overall, and in comparison to the rest of what Hollywood has to offer, Katniss
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is one of the best young female characters I’ve seen on screen in a long time.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Disappointingly, over the course of the next two books, Catching Fire and Mockingjay,
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Katniss’ character growth not only stops but actually regresses in many ways.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I’ll go into details about the failings of Books 2 and 3 in a future video,
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but for now I’ll just say, if you haven’t read the two books already, I wouldn’t bother.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,If you liked this video and want to see more in depth analysis of female characters in pop culture,
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,please support me and my work by donating today.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You can visit feministfrequency.com/donate