Breakthrough Technology,
Fragmented Society
Catching Fire, the compelling sequel to
the Hunger Games franchise is a movie that offers much more than visual
spectacle and gripping doses of suspense. Successfully satiating the appetite
of loyal fans of the series, it easily climbed up the box-office lists. Digging
beneath all that success, one can find a poignant story that explores themes of
survival, morality and rebellion.
The
film fits right into the criteria of science fiction. It is set in a post-apocalyptic
world, a time in the distant future. The Capitol consists of numerous advanced
innovations such as holograms, force fields and hovercrafts. This level of
technology is not yet attained in real life. It is also considered a science
fiction film because Panem presents an absurd dystopian reality that is far
from our own. The important role of science fiction is to awaken poignant
questions about reality and existence.
Although
set in the future, the film’s themes go beyond its timeframe. In the past,
there have been many instances of social stratification. In the caste system of
India, people are bound to a certain level in the hierarchy. Special privileges
are reserved for those on top and many rights are violated for those at the
bottom. In the world of Panem, those in the Capitol are obviously on top of the
hierarchy. The districts are beneath with the poorest ones experiencing the
worst of poverty. The totalitarian type of government lead by President Snow is
also something that has been experienced by some countries in the past. Nazi
Germany lead by Adolf Hitler is the most famous example. He controlled all
aspects of the society, even ordering the death of the Jewish race.
To the people
residing in the districts, life is a painful routine of work. To the people
living in the Capitol, a life of luxury is acquired without even lifting a
finger. Similar to the world of Panem, our present world revolves around money.
Politicians are driven by greed to steal the nation’s money while those stuck
in destitution work day and night just to have meager means to survive. The
rich get richer and poor get poorer. The horror of having such an unbalanced society
that offers no social mobility is something that we may have to face in the
future if we continue with the rise of capitalism.
In
terms of science and technology, the world of the thirteen districts has reached
its peak. They have gone to the point where it is possible to manipulate the
weather and genetically mutate animals. Unfortunately, the people did not use
this advanced technology for the betterment of the whole nation. Only the
people in the Capitol were able to make use of this technology while those in
the other districts were left behind. This just goes to show that no matter how
cutting-edge technology can become, progress can never be attained with a
fragmented and unstable society.
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