5 important facts before watching the prequel to “The Hunger Games”

The franchise of The Hunger Games returns to theaters with Ballad of songbirds and snakes (The Ballad Of Songbirds And Snakes), a prequel that promises to immerse viewers in the origins of Panem and its dark games. The new installment, directed by Francis Lawrence, moves away from the story of Katniss Everdeen to focus on a young man Coriolanus Snowlong before becoming the head of a totalitarian regime.

The story is set more than six decades before the events of the original trilogy. The Hunger Games. Based on the novel of the same name published in 2020 by Suzanne Collins, explores the tenth edition of the contest, which at the time is devoid of glamor and entertainment, representing only a military punishment. A raw and direct fight to the death between malnourished teenagers, which serves as a lesson for a society that is still dealing with the aftermath of a failed uprising.

The protagonist of this story is Coriolanus Snow, a young man from an impoverished family played by Tom Blyth. Unlike the tyrant that fans of the films know, he is presented as a talented student. His ambition comes from his interest in rescuing his people from adverse economic circumstances. His relationship with Lucy Gray Baird (Rachel Zegler), the tribute from District 12, reveals a complexity in her character, showing her capacity for love, but also her inclination towards manipulation and power.

Lucy is constructed as the antithesis of Katniss, since while the original protagonist was characterized by her introverted nature and her fight for survival, Lucy Gray is her extroverted and even artistic counterpart. She is a figure who openly embraces her sexuality and her talent as a singer and songwriter, using them as weapons to maneuver the public’s preference in her favor, thus redefining the concept of heroine in this universe.

The new title sets a new record for the feature film series by becoming the longest running, with a running time of approximately 2 hours and 38 minutes; reflection of the breadth and depth of the novel on which it is based, which is also the longest in the saga with more than 150,000 words.

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But with other long-term projects this year like Oppenheimer o The assassins of the moon, This would not be a counter; On the contrary, the positive reviews suggest that the cinematic experience could be well received by audiences. In fact, according to Deadlinethe forecasts for its impact at the box office exceed $100 million during its global premiere, reinforcing the relevance of the franchise, which to date has generated revenues of $3 billion.

“Ballad of songbirds and snakes” is more than just a name. Although at first glance it seems to refer to the protagonists of the prequel, a deeper look reveals connections with the original trilogy, especially with the girl “on fire.” Through the dynamics and personalities of the characters, symbolism is woven that links Snow to the snake and Lucy Gray to the songbird. However, the tribute also displays reptilian traits, suggesting a duality that is reflected in Katniss later. Thus, the title not only names the central figures of the prequel, but also foreshadows the future epic fight, connecting the past and future of the saga.

The Hunger Games: Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes premieres on November 16 in theaters in Latin America.