‘The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2’ was released in 2015, and seemed to mark the end of the global phenomenon that was ‘The Hunger Games’ series. Eight years on, and the newest addition to the franchise has proved ‘The Hunger Games’ to be as popular as ever.
Following the story of President Snow, and acting as a prequel to the original series, ‘The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes’ provides a thought-provoking insight into the creation of such an infamous dystopian villain. The story is set 64 years before the events of the first novel and film, and focuses predominantly on the 10th Annual Hunger Games. Coriolanus Snow, the simultaneous protagonist and antagonist of his own story, has fallen on hard times after a long and drawn-out war between the Capitol, home to the affluent and privileged members of society, and the Districts, where the majority of the population live in abject poverty. Coriolanus is chosen to mentor a tribute for the Games, a girl from District 12 named Lucy Gray Baird. The ensuing tale is one of love, victory, misery, and betrayal, following Snow’s attempts to keep Lucy Gray alive throughout the Games, in which 24 tributes must fight to the death, leaving only one survivor, while maintaining his own power and reputation.
I watched ‘The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes’ on the day of its release, and the tension and excitement in the cinema was palpable. The cinematography and casting of the film was superb, and there were subtle nods to the original series throughout, allowing the audience to see exactly how Snow became the villain that he is known as. Lucy Gray was a member of a travelling musical group, and so brought with her a collection of songs that added another dimension to the watching experience. Each song was sung live on set by Rachel Zegler, who portrayed Lucy Gray, and her performances were both chilling and deeply moving.
The Hunger Games themselves have a much greater air of reality to them in the prequel, without the glitz and glamor that was introduced in later Games, and the audience is able to connect with the tributes much more. This reflects the rudimentary nature of the early Games: they were initially introduced to keep the Districts under control, and for the Capitol to exert its authority. It was only later, following Snow’s ideas, that they were made into a viewing spectacle. The progression of the Hunger Games into what they became can be clearly seen, and gives the audience a greater insight into the cold-blooded and ruthless nature of President Snow.
While Coriolanus starts out as a young man who only wishes to improve his family’s prospects and restore his own social status, the film follows his progression into a deeply paranoid and dangerous man, who is willing to betray those he loves the most in order to increase his power. Tom Blyth presents this slow descent into madness exceptionally well, and, alongside the immense talent of Rachel Zegler, the two create a film which is introspective and dark, but also incredibly enjoyable.
