A couple of weeks ago I traveled to Buenos Aires with the family. The interests of the expeditionaries were diverse, but the pawned word set the guideline and the agenda. Expectations of going to the Boca Stadium to watch a game were extremely high, considering that between the five travelers, I was the only “young lady.”
The first day it rained with that humidity, intensity and temperature typical of the beautiful city and my 16-year-old son asks me, please, to accompany him to buy A BOOK. Rather three books in a saga, instead of asking for a t-shirt from some individual who succeeds in Europe by simply kicking values (or balls?). The joy of the adults was immense and the curiosity to know what was behind that trilogy.
It was imperative: the crusade had to be launched; it was necessary to go to recover the holy places of the reading taken and subjugated, several times, by the abulia; in a young man – like many others – for reading it has been a cross throughout his school stage.
More than just any purchase, this business became a family feat, a complicity of a handful of enthusiastic “crusader knights”, together in a unique and unprecedented cultural task. We arrived at that emblematic bookstore in Santa Fe and they were not… We could not handle with our feet, the weight of our soaked parkas and the weight of frustration was almost equivalent, but after a few blocks we saw light.
Three Suzanne Collins books were the clan’s most prized asset. And between the bites of dinner we were weaving conversations around “Hunger Games”, “On Fire”, and “Mockingjay”; the recurring words were a magnet that attracted more and more and invited the “fanatic” to read, inquire and question. The next morning the topic of conversation was the first volume of the Trilogy: it had already been the object of the fledgling reader’s first claws.
THE HUNGER GAMES, IN FLAMES, MOCKINGJAY
What is the plot, the thematic knot that leads young people to devour these books?
The power of those who unite in pursuit of a common good. The concept of nation, of dictatorial centralism, of commitment, of civic duties and rights, of literary rituals, of unfailing friendship, of symbols that are honored and respected … that is to say, everything that is questioned today with respect to these same young people and that is judged and affirmed that they suffer.
The plot
In a future not identified, in “Panem,” a country located in what used to be North America, twelve poor and defeated districts serve the needs of a wealthy Capitol. In punishment for their rebellion each year a boy and a girl from each of the districts, between 12 and 18 years old, are forced to participate in the “Hunger Games”. The games are a televised event where participants must fight to the death in an open-air state until only one remains. The winner and his district receive wealth and food. The history of the autonomous districts dedicated to different productive activities, dependent on that great “big brother” represented by the Capitol, reflects a series of values and strength ideas of the youth of the world and of ours.
As in the saga, there are ways and codes of survival that give some as “winners” and others as “defeated.” Some enjoy privileges and the others continue on the side of the road waiting for their turn to see the spectacle of life from the stage box and not behind the scenes.
Katniss in her desire to honor those who died waiting for that opportunity, takes on the challenge of fighting for her and for her 12th district (for young people… her friends ?, her family ?, her dreams ?, her life? …) and in that becoming enters a love game that leads to deep reflections of how much we can manipulate our own feelings and those of the other.
A fictional and opportunistic love with Peeta turns around and transforms into a rebellious and literary force. That same love that saved his life in that initial “Hunger Game” gives a message to young people that, if “someone” manages to twist fate and established laws, civil society can also do it, especially if those who mobilizes is the common good, the ideas of freedom, dignity, equality, participation, justice and identity.
We must listen to the voice of youth, these are the issues that are calling them today, they are hungry for security and the certainty that a clear and common objective can mobilize them. “The Hunger Games”, “On Fire”, and “Mockingjay” speak of a social and personal desire for equity, of justice and clean and disinterested fellowship.
If young people seek and believe in it … why not listen to it and pave their future? As the Eastern proverb says, “If you walk alone, you will go faster; if you walk accompanied, you will go further.”
THE MOVIE
The novel was adapted to the cinema and in 2012, the first part was released directed by Gary Ross, American producer and director, known for writing films such as: Big, (“I Want to Grow”) and Dave (“President Once”), and direct Pleasentville (1998) and Seabiscuit, the latter nominated for the best film in the Best Academy Award. (2003)
At the end of 2013, “In flames” was released in Chile, directed by Francis Lawrence, clips, which has worked with artists such as Michael Jackson, Lady Gaga, Shakira, Britney Spears and Alanis Morissette, among others.
During 2014 it will be released in the United States, and towards the end of the year, Mockingjay, also directed by Francis Lawrence, Julianne Moore, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth and Robert Knepper, will be released in Chile. Script: Billy Ray and Suzanne Collins. Duration 90 minutes.
SUZANNE COLLINS
American, born in 1962. She started her career writing scripts for children’s television programs. Prior to Hunger Games, she wrote a successful epic fantasy collection, which described adventures under New York City.
Las crónicas de Underland o Underland Chronicles comprendían: Gregor the Overlander, Gregor and the Prophecy of Bane, Gregor and the curse of the Warmbloods, Gregor and the Marks of Secret, and Gregor and the Code of Claw. Y también un libro de rimas ilustrado: “Cuando Charle Button perdió poder”. (When Charlie McButton Los Power).
Editorial Del nuevo Extremo. Aprox. $ 18.000 Librería Antártica, Feria del Libro, Contrapunto. Tomos I y II. DVD. Aprox. $ 10.000 Librería Antártida.
The Chronicles of Underland included: Gregor the Overlander, Gregor and the Prophecy of Bane, Gregor and the curse of the Warmbloods, Gregor and the Marks of Secret, and Gregor and the Code of Claw. And also, an illustrated rhyming book: “When Charlie McButton Lost The Power.”
Editorial Del Nuevo Extremo. Approx. $ 18,000 Antarctic Bookstore, Book Fair, Contrapunto Bookstore, Volumes I and II. DVD. Approx. $ 10,000 Antarctic Bookstore.
