The story takes place in the future, where the term "mass media" takes on an entirely different connotation-- the main characters are forced by an evil government (known as the Capitol) to participate in a sporting event known as the Hunger Games. The "Games" is basically a punishment for a past rebellious uprising against the Capitol, and the players are forced to compete in a wilderness setting, outlasting one another until they are the lone survivor, and winner of the Games. It's basically a really sick version of "Survivor," except they not only have to survive, they have to kill each other. By hand.
Oh, and did I mention that all of the players are between the ages of 12 and 18?
Anyway, the real killer (sorry, I had to.) in all of this is that throughout every second of the Hunger Games, the participants are filmed and recorded and monitored, and then broadcast throughout the country so that everyone in this futuristic world can watch. Which leads to some really interesting strategies: just like in "Survivor," the players all work angles, display or conceal special talents, make allies with their fellow players, and try to play up their different selling points to appeal to sponsors (who are allowed to send you occasional "gifts" during the Games). Talk about the importance of advertising.
The movie is set to open March 23, 2012.
Let the games begin!
