The Hunger Game Movie - Outline Example

The Hunger Game Movie INTRODUCTION In this day and age, it is not uncommon to find children as young as 9 years watching horror or action packed movies. In many of these cases, the children are encouraged by their peers and family members to ape what they see. This encouragement comes as a form of game where, if the child, especially the male child, is fighting playfully with his peers, he is told to fight the way the characters in the films fight. It is rather unfortunate to observe that, the number of crimes committed in the United Kingdom and United States as a result of watching such violence in media or films has rapidly risen in the recent past.1 Film studios, on the other hand, are becoming less and less considerate as to what rating should be given to which particular films. As a result, children under the age of 12 years end up watching films that are meant for those above the age of 18 years.2 The Hunger Games movie has been one in particular, that has brought about numerous debates regarding violence in the UK and the USA, and where children are concerned. This is a film telling of a riveting story of life in North America after its destruction where a powerful Capitol is established.3 Residents of this Capitol’s 12 outlying Districts are seen struggling to survive under its rule. Being a reminder of the consequences of a long term rebellion, the Capital expects each District to carry out a yearly lottery where a young boy and a young girl are chosen to take part in a televised fight to the point of death in a manufactured arena.4 ESSAY The main character in The Hunger Games movie is a young 16 year old teenager by the name Katnis Everdeen who struggles to make a living for herself, her younger sister and their widowed mother under the Capitol’s strict regime.5 When the day comes to choose a young boy and a young girl, 24 children are selected to fight to the death. Here, Katniss is removed from her daily quest for survival and thrust into the Capitol, where she is prepared for the Hunger Games.6 In the following days, Katniss is seen fending for her survival against not only the natural elements present but also vicious Careers who are individuals trained for the Hunger Games their entire lives.7 These individuals also known as the Tributes are considered ruthless, and Katniss finds herself about to fight one of them whose likeness to Prim, her sister, makes her hesitate to proceed with the fight. She faces a dilemma where she is to kill or be killed. If she wins, her family is guaranteed of handsome rewards including additional food, which Katniss and her family so desperately needs. The Hunger Games Movie: Treatment of violence in UK and USA There has been in the recent past a growing number of literatures documenting various negative effects of exposure to violence via media and films on children as well as adults. As earlier mentioned, majority of children watching such films may be tempted to put them into practice, not being aware of the consequences such actions, especially in cases where parents do not advise or caution them.8 In the United States, the Motion Picture Association of America, also known as the MPAA possess a lot of power in regards to the manner in which films are eventually to be presented to the public. Being a non-governmental organization, the MPAA’s main objective is not only film classification, but it also in copyright protection and criminal law.9 Film classification process carried out by MPAA is considered voluntary and will recommend cuts on films if they perceive them to be obscene or graphically violent. Where business is considered over art, business often dictates that cuts be made to a particular film for it to achieve a lower rating.10 Film Director’s cuts on movies such as The Hunger Games where some of the gory parts were edited are not subjected to the ratings process.11 This particular film has a PG-13 rating in the United States for intense violence and disturbing images all involving teenagers.12 The British Board of Film Classification also referred to as the BBFC is reported as having asked for blood splashes in the film to be digitally removed from weapons and wounds inflicted while the characters fought deeming some of these scenes too violent for younger viewers.13 The monopoly of organizations such as MPAA and BBFC is perceived as detrimental to small independent, film makers.14 In Britain, however, BBFC does not possess any power to cut films unlike is the case with MPAA. This means that films are shown as per the film makers’ preference and dictation. The legal position in film classification in Britain is to bring uniformity to the classification of film nationally.15 Statutory power on films usually lies with the local council which has the authority of overruling any decision made by the Board. They have the authority to either pass rejected film or ban films that have been passed by BBFC, alter ratings for films exhibited or institute new cuts.16 Unlike in the British system, any American film producer wishing to bypass the US rating system has the freedom to approach the market without any rating or instead use any symbol they prefer as long as it does not resemble any widely recognized symbols that are federally registered.17 There is a tendency for audiences of films to accept violence content when the films studios are powerful, and since the latter is well aware of this fact, it has taken advantage through films such as The Hunger Game and Scary Movie. This can also be witnessed through their ratings where one finds that, movies meant for adults are rated R, once violence or too many obscenities are edited for them to freely get introduced to younger viewers.18 It is rather unfortunate for the majority of British and American families that, despite the fact that the BBFC and American film studios recognize some of the content of films as being deeply offensive or disturbing to some viewers, they reflect the perception of the public where viewers have a right to choose their own viewing.19 CONCLUSION The Hunger Games is a teen-oriented movie whereby children are forced to fight to the point of death on a reality television show. Even though most of the gory bloody parts of the film have been edited; it is still considered quite violent for children under the age of 16 years. Majority of American and British parents may not be aware of the connection between exposing their young children and teenagers to violence and negative outcomes that are exhibited later on in life for instance increased aggression. An R rating for violence informs parents that children under the age of 17 years must be supervised by a guardian but apparently this has not been the case with a majority of viewers, and where young children are concerned. It is, therefore, important for governments especially in the United Kingdom and the United States to implement strict policies towards film studios regarding decision making process when classifying a movie in order to protect children. Parents should also be educated on ways of managing their home media environment. Encouraging more restrictive rating systems to prevent exposure of children to violence is also necessary. REFERENCES Sergeant, J. D., Heatherton, T. F., Ahrens, M. B., Dalton, M. A., Tickle, J. J., and Beach, M. L. “Adolescent Exposure to Extremely Violent Movies”. J Adolesc Health 31(6) {2002}: 449 – 454. Read More