Which Reality TV Show and War Inspired ‘Hunger Games’?
- Posted on March 22, 2012 at 4:40pm by
Liz Klimas
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Suzanne Collins at the world premiere of "The Hunger Games". (Photo: AP/Chris Pizzello)
The buzz has been huge for the best-selling novel and highly anticipated film “The Hunger Games,” which hits theaters Friday, but little is heard or known of the author and co-producer of the film Suzanne Collins.
(Related: Liberal or conservative? Both sides trying to claim ‘Hunger Games’ as their own — why?)
ABC News reports that Collins has never given a TV interview but she has shared some insight into what inspired the books with publisher Scholastic in 2010. In that interview, Collins says that the inspiration for the trilogy was a mix of the Greek mythology, Roman gladiator games, reality TV shows like “Survivor” and the War in Iraq.
(Related: Navy‘s new ’Hunger Games’-like lab tests robots in ‘extreme survival conditions’)
First, if you aren’t familiar with book, brush up with the “Hunger Games for Dummies” from ABC:
Below are a few clips from the Collins’ interview.
Watch Collins talk about how the book harkens back to classical myths and civilization:
Collins explains her contemporary inspiration for the book:
Here she speaks of desensitization, a central theme to describe the elite Capitol citizens, characters who live in privileged excess and who like Roman citizens took pleasure in watching the gore of gladiator fights:
Collins cites the Greek myth of the Cretian King Minos, who avenged the death of his son by sending seven young men and women into a labyrinth each year where they would be eaten by the a minotaur. This connection is seen in the book with regard to the Hunger Games themselves. The games are an invention by the Capitol to remind the citizens of Panem of the “Dark Days.” In the games 12 men and 12 women — one from each District of the restructured, futuristic North America — to fight to the death in an arena publicized on national television.
Some have said the books are too violent for the young audience for which they are geared. Collins, in her interview with Scholastic, described how her father was in the Vietnam War, causing her to feel a personal connection with some of the violence she saw on television at the time. She fears though that there is a desensitization to what is being seen on TV. She said she wants people to question ”What’s your relationship to reality TV versus your relationship to news? Was there anything that disturbed you because it reflected aspects of your own life, and what can you do about it?”
According to her website biography, Collins is no stranger to the children audience, even though The Hunger Games trilogy may be the first of her works to really take off with an adult audience as well. Collins has worked on shows like “Clarissa Explains it all” and “Clifford’s Puppy Days” and also wrote the five-part series “The Underland Chronicles.”
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Herokidstar
Posted on March 23, 2012 at 7:31amI never understood why people get upset with someone ripping off ideas of others in fiction. If you look around there are alot of books and movies that are just differnt takes on the same themes or ideas. I haven’t read HungerGames but I have read Running Man and Battle Royle, both are creepy and show the evil large group vs the heroic or antihero person. Who eventually wins and the larger show implodes. Hell when the Running Man Movie came out that same year there were some very poorly done rip offs with the very same theme.
If you read alot of fiction you find that alot of it is the same style story with different authors. (or maybe i just keep picking books that have the same themes)
Aside from all that what is the point? It’s a book that got made into a movie and became popular dose it breake my arm or pick my pocket? Will It influance how I should vote? Dose it uplift the cultral norm? So what. Its like complaning that Titanic ripped off a story about the real Titanic and got some or even most of the facts wrong. Why dose it matter in any way shape or form? It will be popular for a while then move into realm of fandome then get refrenced to every now and then. Possably spawning even more blantent rip offs movies or tv shows.
Report Post »themetrick
Posted on March 23, 2012 at 1:59amOh come on….the same stories have been retold for centuries. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with telling the same story a different way with different characters. Suppressing government…underdog hero. Um…let’s see Star Wars, LOTR…etc etc…heck even a good Jane Austin movie explores the concept of a simpleton rising up to overtake a separatist society. I like her take on the genre. I felt connected to the characters and quite honestly this came at a great time considering the attack of a certain large government on freedom. I can more than relate to that too.
Report Post »22
Posted on March 23, 2012 at 7:22amBravo!
Report Post »AmazingGrace8
Posted on March 23, 2012 at 2:43pmIn my humble opinion, one story & movie that will never ever be successfully duplicated: JAWS!
Reminds me, after years & years & years of planning & tactics and FINALLY success of controlling American citizens by the short-hairs..one “swoop-of-the-poisoned-pen” that has the full potential of fundamentally transforming America & one big (Biden’s word) deal..and the Oscar goes to……and now, say it isn’t so, NO ENCORE on the 2nd year anniversary? Just like the Keystone Pipeline, most Americans do not want JUST the bottom portion of the Oscar…the whole Oscar statue needs to be returned & recycled back to the free-market with a few changes, Tort Reform & Across state lines buying of health insurance.
Report Post »Mormyo
Posted on March 22, 2012 at 10:49pmalot of movies aand shows i think copy from Battle Royale movie that was black listed in america
Report Post »Chet Hempstead
Posted on March 22, 2012 at 11:35pmThe Tenth Victim started it all.
Report Post »RedDawn2012
Posted on March 23, 2012 at 4:07amI immediately thought of the Tenth Victim flic from ‘65 – a really fun watch with Ursula Undress at her best. Like the Hunger Games, the Tenth Victim game was watched on TV by the whole world, and the winner became rich and famous. This idea, just like the Roman Colosseum activity so long ago, was created to be the “circuses” part of the “bread and circuses” meant to keep the people happy and occupied so they wouldn’t rise up and kill their government leaders. It still works today – welfare and TV do the trick.
Report Post »LovinUSA
Posted on March 22, 2012 at 10:33pmFoolih people, you are looking through, a curtain, which offes you, gloryand promise, Only God permits This….
Report Post »LovinUSA
Posted on March 22, 2012 at 10:26pmAnd so, from what i see, she the auhtor, or what ever you care to call her, is getting off on this whole theory………..
Report Post »CharlieR
Posted on March 22, 2012 at 6:58pmIt reminds me of King’s story the Long walk which was published in 1979.
Report Post »Glenn Jericho
Posted on March 22, 2012 at 6:27pmI saw the similarity to Survivor the very first time I read the books. Several people from across the country compete against each other to be come the “one survivor” and are forced to continue with the game by the evil dictator, Jeff Probst. Both Boston Rob and Amber had been on previous seasons of survivor. Then, the evil dictator Jeff Probst make them both come back for Survivor Allstars. Then, on Survivor Vaniuatu, Boston Rob proposes to Amber on live national television, and they become Survivor and runner up. And remember the time that girl peed on someone’s hand to cure a jellyfish sting? That has nothing to do with the book, just wanted to know if anyone remembered.
Report Post »Baddoggy
Posted on March 22, 2012 at 6:12pmHope she is the first one killed…along with her multi level friends
Report Post »22
Posted on March 22, 2012 at 5:59pmLets face it people, no one has original ideas anymore. Not in movies, books, and especially music. I haven‘t looked into Battle Royale or any of the other references and I really don’t care. Lets face it, it’s no different than 20 idiot actors playing Batman, Superman, or another remake in the movies or a cover of music. I enjoyed these books and I’m paying to see the movie. It’s a personal choice, and I‘m going to exercise my right to do so while I ’m still free to do so.
Report Post »UrsaMajor
Posted on March 22, 2012 at 9:43pmHow progressive of you! Support the theft of other people’s ideas! Washingtomn Lincoln and Reagan would be so PROUD!
Report Post »22
Posted on March 23, 2012 at 7:16amI‘m the least progressive person you’d ever want to meet. But judging by your comments and you’re spelling, you effing ******, you wouldn’t want to meet me in person. Its a great book and it was a very good movie. It took me 3 years to watch Avatar because of what Glenn said about it. I’m not about to make that MISTAKE again. So take your comments and close minded view and stick in your arse. Puke!!
Report Post »BenInNY
Posted on March 23, 2012 at 8:09amThere are plenty of original ideas in all, I know from personal experience as far as music and fiction. The problem isn’t the lack of ideas but the acceptance of those ideas by publishing/music companies. If it doesn‘t make it to print or radio then people just don’t know about it. At least with music it’s gotten MUCH easier to get known without the middleman due to the internet and sites like Bandcamp and Soundcloud.
Report Post »FreedomPurveyor
Posted on March 22, 2012 at 5:45pmWatch (or read) Battle Royale before you watch The Hunger Games. I can‘t believe she is actually acting like she didn’t take her story directly from Battle Royale. She probably thinks no one will notice because it is a Japanese novel.
Report Post »UrsaMajor
Posted on March 22, 2012 at 9:41pmTHANK YOU!!!
“Hunger Games” is to “Battle Royale” as “Avatar” is to “Dances With Wolves”…
Anyone who says otherwise is ignorant or a liar… two qualities exemplified by Progressives.
Conservatives should NEVER support blatant theft.
Report Post »DasAmerican
Posted on March 22, 2012 at 5:37pmMan what typical liberal BS!!! She tries to say MY inspiration comes from thin air!!
I am sure that this movie will do what they always do, take a explanation of the wrongs of a Dystopia and then try and put a nice Hollywood spin to make you think that it might be cool to liquidate people to explain liberal thought!
This movie and book is a direct ripoff of a 2000 Japanese movie called “Battle Royale” Don’t believe me…Just go and watch it, the directors cut just came out on BlueRay. She even dismisses this movie as saying “I never even heard of the book”! Doesn‘t mean she didn’t watch the movie one night with a glass of wine and then penning it out thinking that she is such a genius just like JK Rowling!
This is how they get away with their lies! Have you ever hear Obuma actually say “I was born in Hawaii at Kapiolani” Or when he was asked about rising gas prices, did you actually hear him say “I do not want gas prices to go up” No he just laughed and said that would be crazy what pres would in an election year?
everyone just needs to focus on getting them to just answer the actual questions! and call them on their BS! If she just said, I got my inspiration from Battle Royal….Then I might have gone to see this movie. But after knowing the truth and how much all my liberal family members want to go see it….I will probably wait until they are done with the book and use it for toilet paper :P
Report Post »FreedomPurveyor
Posted on March 22, 2012 at 5:43pmYeah, The Hunger Games is a 100% ripoff of Battle Royale. I think she is hoping no one will notice.
Report Post »saranda
Posted on March 22, 2012 at 8:37pmConsidering ihad not heard of Battle Royale, it is no stretch for me to believe Collins had not either. Why so bitter about her success? Isn’t that what we detest about libs?
Report Post »FreedomPurveyor
Posted on March 22, 2012 at 8:53pm“it is no stretch for me to believe Collins had not either.”
Watch Battle Royale, or read it, then read The Hunger Games. I think you will find that it becomes more of a stretch.
Report Post »CptStubbing
Posted on March 22, 2012 at 9:03pmAre you retarded, or just stupid? “The Hunger Games is a 100% ripoff of Battle Royale.”
Battle Royale takes place in Japan for one. Battle Royale involves 42 kids not 24. The kids are gassed and transported to an island. Battle Royale takes place in the present. Battle Royale follows many different perspectives. Not to mention the protagonist in Battle Royale is a guy. Far from 100%.
I haven’t seen nor care to see Battle Royale, because it sounds pretty much like the movie “No Escape”, with a splash of “Running man.” I guess you could throw in Stephen King’s “The Long Walk” and have yourself a Battle Royale. Of course, the author of Battle Royale must have gotten the idea for the collars from “wedlock.” What a thief.
The most likely truth is Koushun Takami watched a couple seasons of “Survivor” and thought it would be a good idea for a book, with a Japanese twist. Why can’t he be honest about it? At least Suzie Collins admits she took her ideas from “Survivor.” Is Koushun that much of a coward he can’t admit to stealing an idea from American television and movies?
Report Post »FreedomPurveyor
Posted on March 23, 2012 at 4:30pm“Are you retarded, or just stupid? …Far from 100%.”
“I haven’t seen nor care to see Battle Royale…”
Interesting. So you looked up Battle Royale on Wikipedia and now you’re an expert… and I’m retarded. Perhaps you are unfamiliar with hyperbole.
“The most likely truth is Koushun Takami watched a couple seasons of “Survivor” and thought it would be a good idea for a book, with a Japanese twist. Why can’t he be honest about it?”
The first season of Survivor aired in 2000. Battle Royale was published in 1999. Unless he is a time traveler…
Report Post »Joyzee
Posted on March 22, 2012 at 5:36pmSuzy love the tumbleweed hair look , dry like your personality!.
Report Post »RedDawn2012
Posted on March 23, 2012 at 4:11amBurn that hair!
Report Post »booger71
Posted on March 22, 2012 at 5:31pmPrivileged access? Oh you mean Barry and his cronies.
Report Post »circleDwagons
Posted on March 22, 2012 at 5:28pmMindy is volunteering for the game
Report Post »axel@25
Posted on March 22, 2012 at 5:18pmThe books (and inevitable movie/s) are basically a rip-off combination of 2 other stories…“the Running Man”(the book not the movie), and “Road Work”. Throw in some updating based on current TV shows (Survivor?), some gender switched characters, and there you have it…what passes for “Original” in 2012 Hollywood.
Report Post »axel@25
Posted on March 22, 2012 at 5:31pmForgot to add…
Report Post »Not saying she didn’t do a good job of the series, or that the movie is good or bad, just that there’s more to the background than greek mythology and a war….This kind of story like most others, can be traced to probably hundreds of sources.
And because it seems like intense partisan’s on both political spectrums seem to hate it….it should do well with “swing voters” as long as the “John Carter”flop didn’t pee in the pool of action film goers.