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?

Portfolio

Local News:

Shoplifter from a local supermarket was charged with 18 months of conditional discharge plus more than £100 fine.

Mr Steele, from Bolton Street, Preston was caught by the security guard trying to leave the shop, without paying ,with a trolley full of items.

The accident happened Monday 31, December, 2012 when Mr Steele, aged 45, who is living with his aunt, tried to leave Asda Fullwood Superstore, East Way, Preston with the trolley.

As soon he was caught, he said: “Sorry about this. I´m really sorry”, he kept apologising, the court heard.

The trial was held in Preston Magistrates Court in March 8, 2013. The offence which was tried in the magistrates court was considered an either way offence.

Miss Aksha Shahid, for the prosecution, said that the trolley had a total value of £150.86; inside he carried alcohol items, groceries and meat.

District Judge, Mr Peter Ward, sentenced that as he has no money he will receive 18 months conditional discharge plus £15 victim charge and £85 for costs.

When the police came this morning to arrest him, Mr Steele said:” I´ve heard from a friend”.

In his defence, Mr Nottingham said: “I just think he thought he´d get some money by selling the items.

 “He thought it was a good idea, clearly it wasn’t. He is very sorry for his actions”, Mr Nottingham said.

Shops VoxPop

Local shops or big supermarkets?

Shopping might be different if you go to a local shop, where you have a pleasant relationship with the shopkeeper, or you prefer to go to a big supermarket where you can find anything that you need.

Tesco, Sainsbury´s, Asda and Morrisons , known as ‘ the big four’ have been accused of taking out of the business the local and small stores.
The national Federation of Small Business and the agricultural industry have complained about the situation. They argue that the small business can guarantee a better quality in the products, because they are specialized, and they also provide more care to the products. Local shopkeepers will also offer a friendly and closer manner to the customers.

On the other hand, big supermarkets are considered to be easier and quicker. All supermarkets confirmed that their products have passed through more quality controls.Big supermarkets will boost the small communities, such as Preston, because of their multiple activities. Their great strength is creating new jobs. For instance, Sainbury´s has created more than 13,000 jobs in two years time.

Both types of shops have their advantages and disadvantages. Depending on customers, some of them prefer small shops rather than big supermarkets. Which one is more popular?

We went to Preston, in North West England, to find out which is the most popular choice.

(Manuel Rascado & Maria Fernandez)

Nowadays Slavery

"The number of people held in slavery today is 27 million” (Malbert, 2008)

Article 4 of European Convention (September 1953) states: No one shall be held in slavery and servitude and no one shall be required to perform forced or compulsory labour. It makes exceptions for military work; work imposed because of a detention, giving service in case of emergency and part of the civic obligations.

The statement ‘slavery has all about disappeared’ is completely inaccurate and false.  Slavery has developed adapting to the society, as a result of this, it is rarely seen slave trade as it happened in the 17^th century. Nevertheless, still millions of people who were trade as slaves and controlled by others, which is the key factor to commit slavery.

According to the US Government there are eight actions which are considered modern slavery: Forced Labour, Sex Trafficking, Bonded Labour and Debt Bondage among Migrant Labourers, Involuntary Domestic Servitude, Forced Child Labour, Child Soldiers and Child Sex Trafficking.    

Forced Labour is considered any work which exploits its workers involving often coercion, for example exceeding of working hours, salaries lower than the minimum, violence etc.

Sex Trafficking, is when an adult is forced to work as a prostitute. It is often than Latin American and African women are brought to Europe to work in prostitution thinking that they are going to be involved in domestic

Bonded Labour and Debt Bondage among Migrant Workers are fairly similar, both use debt or bond as a way of coercion, which is the essential to be considered Forced Labour.

Involuntary Domestic Labour consists on forced labour related to domestic chores. This slavery is more vulnerable to women, and teenagers.

Forced Child Labour, is the same as compulsory work but involves children. A great example of Child Labour is Restavek. Around 300,000 children between 4 and 18 are forced to practice Restavek.(house cleaning, preparing meals, ironing clothes etc., in Haiti)

Child Soldiers is a tactic to use children in the army forcing them to be soldiers. Many regions, which are now in conflict, mostly in Africa and Asia make the children participate in the combat. Child Sex Trafficking is really common type of modern slavery.  Women, under 18, are forced to leave their home and work as prostitutes without receiving any benefit from their work.

To summarize, Article 4 ECHR has served in terms of abolishing legal slavery; but still millions of people are held in slavery today, the highest rate ever. As a result, it is undoubtedly necessary to question about Article 4 real effectiveness. 

Source:

 ‘Free the Slaves’ <https://www.freetheslaves.net/SSLPage.aspx>

Bales K. Malbert R & Sealy M, Documenting Disposable People Contemporary Global

‘U.S Department of State Diplomacy <http://www.state.gov/j/tip/what/index.htm>

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Budget´s Summary

2013 Budget has been mainly influenced by the Euro zone crisis and the idea of referendum to get out of the European Union.                                                        
The Budget was realised by the Chancellor of Exchequer and Second Lord of the Treasury of United Kingdom, George Osborne in the morning of Wednesday 20 March, 2013.

Roughly, in terms of the country´s economy, the Budget was about deficit, borrowing, net debt and Europe. It was focused in reducing deficit and building a stronger economy. The deficit, which is the difference between the money the Government takes in and its spending, is expected to fall to 6.8% next year.

Borrowing, money that Government has to raise in markets, is expected to drop less than £100bn.  The net Debt in the public sector will be 75.9% this year; it will keep growing up before it starts falling in 2017-2018. However, the Gross Domestic Product is expected to increase 0.6% this year. Moreover, in relation with Europe, the European budget negotiated the UK £3.5bn.
The Budget will also make some changes in daily life and families´ economy. Taxes are expected to rise and personal allowance will set up in £10,000. Corporation tax will be reduced so that it creates new business .

National Insurance will be cut the first £2,000 from national employee’s bills.
The Budget was focused in falling deficit and building a stronger economy, this regards cuts in the public sector such a social care or higher education level. Moreover, fuel it will also increase its value. All countries in the Euro zone are concerning about the crisis, United Kingdom, by now, is one of them.

The Bank of England still targeting for 2% inflation rate, with the purpose of boosting the economy. Government´s departments will also suffer cuts, it is expected to save more than £10bn in this sector.

Families with children will have more support, because of tax-free childcare vouchers. Pension flat rate will start in 2016 instead of 2017. Social care will also go through cuts. For this reason, pensioners will be moving on the private sector.

The expected raise of the alcohol is not going to be done and the beer will be 1p cheaper.

Besides the Budget, the unemployment rates were also released. It shows that the number of unemployed has risen. These figures start being worrying, almost a million of people between 16- to 24- years-olds have no job. It has increased by 20% since October.

The Budget was focused in falling deficit and building a stronger economy, this regards cuts in the public sector such a social care or higher education level. Moreover, fuel it will also increase its value. All countries in the Euro zone are concerning about the crisis, United Kingdom, by now, is one of them.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/budget-2013

Venezuela, by USA

Recently, the Spanish newspaper El País has published an interesting interview to Roberta Jacobson, current United States Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs. It clarifies some new perspectives about the relationship between United States and Latin American countries such as Venezuela or Cuba. 

USA hopes that Venezuela’s elections are carried out with total normality according to the democratic principles. They would like that international observers as well as some local ones control de process so that transparency is guaranteed. 

The relationship USA-Venezuela has always been strained due to the past and the different ideology. Chavez used to criticise George Bush’s, and then Obama’s, way of governing. His speeches in the national television channel are worthy to remember. It is worrying, as well as dangerous, that the Government uses the national media with indoctrinating purposes. Without Free Press, it is difficult to have a free citizenship capable of making its own well-informed opinion. Moreover, as Roberta Jacobson says, only if the press is independent, the government and the opposition can send their political message to the voters. USA thinks that Henrique Capriles, head of the opposition Party Primero Justicia, would be a good candidate to win the poll, but they do not admit having a favourite.




 



Roberta Jacobson is sure about the possibility of cooperating with Venezuela: “In the past, it has always been talked about this region in terms of threatening, now we have to talk also about the opportunities.” Now that Hugo Chavez is no longer in the power, the future of the country is still unknown. Will Venezuela continue on its to democracy? Only time will tell.
 

Caño, A. (15th March 2013) “Cuba está cambiando” El Pais. Available online: http://internacional.elpais.com/internacional/2013/03/12/actualidad/1363127804_593782.html