The Hunger Games: Catching Fire - Thoughts and Insights

by Erwin Dennis Umali | 2010 - 23119

I have to admit, I was not really that interested in The Hunger Games: Catching Fire when it came out. I didn't really watch the first one. Actually, I do not really engage too much in movies in general. However, I think that, because of my lessened exposure to film, I can actually give a more objective point of view on this movie, because I have no initial bias or expectations on what was shown.

... Or, well, maybe it's just me trying to justify my laziness on going to movie theaters. But, anyway-- !

Science fiction?

If we take into consideration the textbook meaning of science fiction (a good example on Wikipedia), we can certainly consider Catching Fire within that category. I mean, did you see that force-fielded arena? Or even Katniss' "burning dress" costume (which is technically possible today, but yeah)? Basically, the technology depicted in the movie surpasses current feasible modern technology. For me, that is enough to consider Catching Fire as sci-fi.

That doesn't mean, though, that the movie is purely sci-fi. More appropriately, I think sci-fi was used as a literary device to depict the dystopian world of Panem, in the eyes of a distraught teenager forced into dire circumstances for grim entertainment. Most post-apocalyptic tropes intersect with science fiction, and Catching Fire is one of those.

However, it doesn't end there. The movie also delves into other genres and tropes...

Commentary?

... and, arguably, Catching Fire is quite a commentary on society. It depicts a totalitarian regime, catering to an abusive oligarchy (the Capitol), and structuring the populace to provide their own luxury to their detriment (the 13 12 Districts). It is a view on humanity, politics, and societal issues that could happen when the minority gains access to technology -- and, thus, power and influence.
In this sense, the movie can actually criticize society in any timeline. It can be paralleled to how past empires shape their domain according to their ruling class' needs. It can be compared to how current superpowers are trying to implicitly bend the world to their bidding. It can be thought of as how society will progress if it continues down a path of capitalism and (ironically) global self-interest. Even taking away Catching Fire's romance, the movie can be thought of as a pretty powerful commentary on what society has and can become.

STS?

There's little argument for me in this regard. The Capitol is lush in science and technology. The people in the Districts lack such privilege. In this light, technology is power in Panem. It is the fulcrum in which those who wield it can exert influence to everyone else. The Arena for the Hunger Games itself can be seen as technology's role in manipulating society, using futuristic (and infeasible -- but yeah, let's not go there) technologies to bend the circumstances to their bidding.

So, then, does science, technology and society succeed or fail in Panem? For me, it's both. It succeeds in the context of developing science and technology for the sake of it. In the movie, these dictate power. The mere fact such technologies exist is, for me, a success in itself.
We can't look at things at face value all the time, however. In the context of society, the movie's innovations certainly fail. If we were to view the purpose of technology to aid in society, then no tech in Catching Fire succeeds. Just one look at the dystopian, totalitarian setting suggests that science is being used to suppress, silence, brainwash. And, certainly, that future is not something I'd want to live in.

Catching Fire: A Review

by: Maricella D. Valdivia (2013-55498)

1. Is the film a science fiction? Why or why not?

            “Science fiction(Sci-Fi) is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginative content such as futuristic settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, time travel, parallel universes, and extraterrestrial life”. Based on the given definition, I consider the film Sci-Fi. Although we have the LCD projector which we can compare with their 'TV', and the train that is quite similar with our MRT's. But there was a great advancement of technology in the film, just like the ship which is somehow similar to those in the movie, Avengers. In the arena, they were able to make a poisonous fog, a lightning, a large wave, wild baboons, and even birds imitating the cries of the tributes' love ones. They were also able to check up on the tributes' every move and everything they talk about, clearly and understandably.

            Today, it is Sci-Fi. But for me, there may come a time when this is no longer considered fiction. Nothing is impossible, with God. With the curiosity of man, we might have these advancement in no time. In the movie “Back to the Future”, they never thought of smartphones and laptops, but look at us now, we have these portable gadgets everywhere. Let's just hope that the odds are ever in our favor. ;)

2. Is the film a commentary on past, present and future human society?
   

            I think it covers all, past, present, and future human society.
            -Past, since there were people, slaves to be exact, who weren't able to experience the life of the future, those people who are starving, and with low educational attainment. Those districts with low technology, for they have no privilege of using the advanced stuff;
            -Present, since there are people, just like the other families who live the life of somewhat the ordinary. Those who we can compare with the people today; and
            -Future, since some have the opportunity to use the high tech stuff by themselves, those in the imaginative part of the story which we consider extraordinary(since we have the concept of ordinary, today). But we don't know, maybe the extraordinary will just be ordinary someday, somehow.


    3. How does science, technology, and society fail or succeed in the world of the 13 districts?

            There were only twelve districts, but in the end, a thirteenth district was made. Science, technology, and society succeeded in the thirteen districts although not everyone has the opportunity to use the advanced science. It succeeded in the sense that it improved and didn't degrade. From how they transport, their cameras that can record live on its own, the clothes worn by Katniss and Peeta on the welcoming of the tributes, and Katniss' farewell evening gown that transformed into a dress which symbolizes the mocking jay. Although I haven't watched the prequel, nor have read the book series, from what I've watched. It cannot be unseen.