The Hunger Games Celebrates District Heroes To Stir A Patriotic Fire
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Over the past few years, The Hunger Games has shown a particular aptitude with using viral, or unusual, marketing to hype their films, often providing a glimpse into the wider dystopian world of Panem in the process. We’ve seen them dig into the over-the-top fashion of the Capital, and now, ahead of the release of The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1 this fall, they’ve released a bunch of character posters for citizens from the various districts, not people from the books or films, but purportedly average citizens.
Unveiled by the new website theCapital.pn, these are part of the “District Heroes Collection.” This is framed as an attempt by the powers that be, especially President Snow (Donald Sutherland), to rally the patriotic spirit of the oppressed masses and stem the growing tide of rebellion in the districts. It’s a classic, “hey, your life if totally shitty, but what the hell, take pride in the shittiness and ignore the real problem” style tactic governments are so fond of.
Looking at these, you’ll probably notice that they don’t particularly resemble the dirty, beat up, world-weary folks we’ve seen through two movies. These definitely have more in common with the gaudy, airbrushed fashion of the Capital than with anything that resembles your average resident working long hours at hard jobs for little to no gain. Not all of the districts are represented here, but there is a good cross section, though none of the subjects resemble real people at all.
District 3:
After shorting out, then quickly repairing District 3’s mainframe at the age of nine, Fibre Bissette, 32, has proven her fearlessness in the face of any challenge.
District 4:
The proud daughter of a deep-sea fisherman and a sixth-generation pearl diver, Naida Dolan, 22, channels her legacy as she proudly holds the day’s catch.
District 6:
Thought to have gasoline pumping through his veins, Malcolm Kastel, 31, is devoted to District 6’s mission of keeping Panem moving.
Apparently if you live here, tire pants are the height of fashion.
District 7:
Elias Haan, 26, has kept the axe handed down to him by his great-grandfather as a reminder of the hardships he and his great District have overcome.
District 9:
After a day in the fields, Triti Lancaster, 17, graciously offers a bundle of wheat to her fellow citizens of Panem.
District 10:
Raised amongst the herd, Felix Stam, 35, possesses a quiet understanding of the ways of animals and the circle of life that unites us all.
District 12:
Lily Elsington, 6, captures the spirit of the next generation of District citizens: ready, willing, and eager to fuel the Panem of tomorrow.
District 12 is where heroine Katniss Everdeen, and many of the other key players in this particular drama, hails from. Renowned for their mining, they’ve apparently taken to employing younger and younger workers in the pursuit of the coal veins that power the Capital. And nothing tugs at the heart strings quite like grubby, but still adorable, urchin.
Directed by Francis Lawrence, and staring Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson, and many more, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1 opens everywhere November 21, followed by Part 2 on November 20, 2015.
