How are the micro elements of film form used in the reaping scene to convey the following?

How are the micro elements of film form used in the reaping scene to convey the following?

-          The oppression of the citizens of District 12.

-          Analogies of historical oppressive regimes, especially in Nazi Germany.

-          Katniss’ character function as a hero.

What do you think is the intended emotional response to these scenes? How does the director convey this through the micro elements?

How are social groups represented in this scene?

What purpose does the scene serve in the narrative structure of the film?

Using the micro element, mise-en-scene, the oppression of the District 12 citizens is emphasized within the reaping scene. The most notable being the costume and makeup, there is a clear distinction between the District 12 citizens and those from the Capitol. The citizens are dressed in monotone, neutral colours whilst attempting their best to dress smart for the occasion but as District 12 is the poorest district out of them all, their clothes are not the best. Makeup is very minimal if even existent at all with the women having a natural look, perhaps to emphasize that any money spent within the district would be on the necessities such as food and clothing, rather than luxuries such as makeup. This is juxtaposed with the costumes of those from the Capitol, bright and extravagant colours, especially with the character “Effie” that is wearing a bright, noticeable purple with sharp, abrupt edges in her dress, mimicking the reddish-purple rose in her hair. In both her costume and makeup is a large prominence of purple, which typically represents royalty and power, the opposite of the citizens of District 12, especially Katniss who is contrasted when she is stood next to Effie on the stage. The meaning of oppression is created through the reminder that District 12 is much poorer than the other districts, let alone the Capitol through the juxtaposition in the costume.

Oppression is also manifested through the separation and use of social groups within the scene. The crowd at the reaping is separated into two, the male children on one side with the female children being on the other – parents being at the back of the crowd. This suggests that the capitol looks at the districts as databases of people that own certain attributes, rather than individuals. If a person is not a parent, under 18 and male or female, they’ll be submitted into the Hunger Games roster and expected to remain in a certain part of the crowd. The rich from the Capitol are higher up on a platform, above those from the districts, to symbolise “superiority” by speaking down to the district.

The two crowds are made separated and surrounded by “Peacekeepers”, a close analogy to that of Hitler’s forces that were responsible for control of those that were forced into camps during the end of World War 2. This is emphasised using costume and character expression. The peacekeepers are dressed in the same uniforms, making each one unrecognisable as individuals.

All that separates them is their tinted, transparent visor which is quite hard to see the person’s face directly in the sunlight, this uniform is changed in later films, completely removing all colour other than white and small sections of black with fully tinted visors.

The meaning of Oppression is also conjured with the film’s use of Cinematography. When the focus point is on the Capitol addressing the citizens of District 12, it’s typical that the camera will be placed in a high angle, or on stage looking down upon the citizens. Almost like the audience is placed within the viewing angle of the Capitol – looking down on District 12. This changes once Prim, Katniss’ sister, is called within the reaping. Now the camera is usually at eye level within the crowd, focusing on Prim or Katniss, this emphasizes that the audience is on District’s side and highlights Katniss more as the protagonist and hero. The audience is watching what’s going on from the crowd’s perspective, a spectator as another citizen, this provides relatability. Katniss’s character function as a hero is demonstrated here through the use of character expression and sound. Almost immediately after Prim’s name is called from the reaping roster, Katniss bravely stands forward and volunteers in her place. Sound and character expression combine here, as Prim starts to panic and scream, with her screams being almost ear-penetrating - Katniss remains calm and collected, presenting herself and brave, honourable and respectable, however still looking scared and clearly unhappy with the result of the reaping.

The purpose of this scene in the narrative structure is to suit the role of a complication or a rise in action, taking place after the beginning and exposition phase. A development in the plot to drive the story forward, in a typical narrative structure this would be to raise tension in the audience. However, the narrative structure of The Hunger Games is not typical, the tension is raised throughout the film right until the actual games, in which the climax is dragged out throughout the game, with the game itself having its own structure, with a final climax being at the elimination of the antagonist. However, tension is then raised again with the blueberry seen right before the ending. The reaping scene serves the purpose of being the driving force for Katniss’ actions, and the first true point of tension and suspense building.