The Hunger Games: A Step Beyond Apocalypse

Apocalyptic movies have been a important genre of film since the beginning of modern cinema and highlight the human fascination with our own destruction and the repercussions of it. In Dan Archer’s comic he describes apocalypse as myth that provides a “unifying ‘do good’ feel." As seen in movies like World War Z, Apocalypse unifies us in protection of humanity. Destruction causes people to give and work towards survival without bias and hatred. In World War Z, Brad Pitt's character and his family take refuge inside of the apartment of a immigrant family. Despite their differences and language barriers, both parties work cooperatively to survive. Countless examples like this arise is every apocalyptic movie from Apocalypse Now to World War Z. Despite the varying changes that may come to apocalyptic movies, humans always survive. Despite the conscious fear of our own impending destruction, humans always find a way to survive as a species. This facet of the "end of days" narrative has always exemplified a true hope in humanity. As Elaine Pagels writes, "the Book of Revelation appeals not only to fear and desires for vengeance but also to hope." 

This fascination with hope is shown is the evolution in the apocalyptic genre. Recent movies like The Hunger Games and the City of Ember highlight the post-apocalyptic society. More than simply show the apocalypses and how humanity survives; new movies have highlighted the societal repercussions of survival. The Hunger Games takes place in a nation known as Panem. Panem is established a after the destruction of the continent's civilization by an unknown apocalyptic event. In the aftermath, a state is created in which the capital suppresses the surrounding thirteen districts, resulting is a revolution. The Hunger Games especially, showcases the evils that still may exist after the end of days. Moreover, it fights against the common Christian notion that good permanently triumphs after the Armageddon. While, our conception of apocalypse will remain the same, it is interesting to see how that fascination has evolved into post-cataclysmic fear. 

The Night is Darkest Just Before the Dawn

           

In Apocalypse Left and Right, Dan Archer explores the nature of media, film, and our obsession with the apocalypse. In one panel he writes: “When viewed through a cinematic lens, the threat of apocalypse can galvanize worldwide solidarity/redemption” (1). There are many different aspects to apocalypse that are appealing to the viewer, but this idea of putting aside our differences to band together against a common threat seems particularly romantic. This is especially true considering we live in a world rife with conflict that is constantly being magnified and dissected by the media. A good example of this appeal can be seen in the 2013 apocalyptic film World War Z. Based off of a popular novel, the film tells the story of a global contagion that turns people into hostile zombies that push civilization, and humanity as a whole to the brink of destruction. Eventually humans are able to overcome the zombies, but what is particularly interesting are some of the aftereffects of the pandemic. The world unites during the catastrophe, and afterwards there are some positive outcomes that seemed impossible without an apocalyptic event. For example, China and Cuba turn into thriving democracies, and most notably the Israelis and Palestinians make peace and form a unified Palestinian state. The Palestinian conflict is probably one of the most highly covered and contentious issues in the world, and the idea that apocalypse can make it right is entrancing to many viewers. Another example of this comes in The Dark Knight. One of the most powerful lines in the film is “The night is darkest just before the dawn”, and represents Gotham's rejuvenation following disaster. This one line encapsulates this idea of new hope emerging from apocalypse and destroyed worlds.

 Elaine Pagels touches on this phenomenon in Christian writings: “Whether one sees in John's visions the destruction of the whole world… his final vision suggests that even after the worst we can imagine has happened, we may find the astonishing gift of new life” (3). This idea of post-catastrophe rebirth and revitalization is one of the most appealing aspects of apocalyptic stories, and is a large part as to why we as a society are so enthralled with apocalypse.