The Hunger Games: Catching Fire- Review

The Hunger Games: Catching fire. Duration: 146 minutes. Broadcast on: Odeon Cinemas, Preston. 22/11/2013 at 20:45.Dir: Francis Lawrence. Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh and Donald Sutherland.

            Star Rating: 3.5/5

Catching Fire is the second movie of the Hunger Games trilogy, based on Suzanne Collins’ best sellers for young adult readers, the film is set in the futuristic world of Panem. Governed by President Snow (Donald Sutherland), Panem holds the Hunger Games every year. 

Inspired in ancient Greece and described as ‘a distraction to forget the real problems’, the Hunger Games is a competition to the death in the arena between the youngsters from different districts.

The successful trilogy shows a hypothetical world full of contrasts between the districts. The first district, settled in the city centre, are richer and more futuristic than the other districts settled in the country, which looked like they have been regressed back in time. 

The film seems to be as opposition to today’s society, full of anti-capitalism messages, however it is perfectly merged with a teenage theme, as a romance story.

After the agonizing ending of the first movie, when the couple from district 12 formed by Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) and Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson), decided to risk their lives for their love.

 The story starts a year after, showing the young ‘couple’, Katniss and Peeta go on tour to celebrate their victory. However, these teenagers have become idols for the social class people and they are also the icons of a sparkling revolution, which threatens the tyranny of President Snow.

Government’s fear caused them to take part in the 75^th Hunger Games, which includes special celebrations. Katniss and Peeta are forced to compete alongside old victors.  The 75^th edition is tougher to survive in the arena; competitors will have to face aggressive monkeys and a cloud of poisonous fog. 

More on Hunger Games:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/10441635/The-Hunger-Games-Catching-Fire-review.html

http://www.theguardian.com/film/2013/nov/12/hunger-games-catching-fire-review

Alternative Journalism

Few weeks ago, I had to write a university assignment. I should connect a journalism theory with a real life example. It seemed quite hard, because most of theories appear to be really inspirational and none seemed to happen in this world. However, when I did a bit I research I found a special case.

In June 2013, Brazil experienced a wave of protests, people demonstrated against the expenses in Olympic Games, which are going to be held in Brazil and the less effort that government puts to improve public education or health.

Millions of people took the streets, but they didn’t get all the attention from Brazilian mainstream media. However, there was an alternative journalistic online platform that covered the facts from the protesters’ view. 

Ninja media, the alternative online platform, had a great impact in the social media. With more than 200,000 likes in Facebook they were able to encourage people towards social changes.

Ninja has fulfilled its function as alternative media, because they provoke a social movement and they promote people to demonstrate against these government’s expenses. Government has stepped back with its costs and raising prices.

This media is worthy of admiration, but my question is: Could this alternative journalism become a precedent for futures social movements?

It is know that Mediterranean countries, as Spain or Greece, have been protesting for the last two years against the cuts in public education, health services... However, they were not capable to change any governments’ decision. So, can this Brazilian case be used as an example of encouragement of social movements? Can journalism play a greater role in futures protests?