That's right, we're back! Quidditch_Turtle here with your first Fandom Friday post in a really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, (just one more, I promise) REALLY long time! Aaah, it feels good to be posting again! Anyway, let's get right to it. Even though me and my co-hosts here at the Brick Wall pretty much live and breath fandoms, Fandom Friday is probably one of the hardest days to write about (speaking for all of us). But, since there are some very exciting things going on in one specific fandom of which I am a part, I decided to do sort of like a discussion of current events. Also, I am forewarning you readers that there will be spoilers in this post about a certain trilogy that is very popular right now. If you so choose to continue reading, please scroll at your own risk. Without further ado, I'd like to introduce you to this Tumblr post that applies to our discussion today.
The fandom I have been referencing in the previous part of this post is The Hunger Games fandom. If you are not familiar with this trilogy, here is the summary on the back of The Hunger Games, the first novel of the series:
"In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. Long ago the districts waged war on the Capitol and were defeated. As part of the surrender terms, each district agreed to send one boy and one girl to appear in an annual televised event called, "The Hunger Games," a fight to the death on live TV. Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she is forced to represent her district in the Games. The terrain, rules, and level of audience participation may change but one thing is constant: kill or be killed."
-The Hunger Games, by: Suzanne Collins
If you're still not familiar with this series, I would suggest that you stop reading this post because it would be completely boring and irrelevant. If you are in the middle of reading/watching the series, or in other words have not finished Mockingjay (or any of the other books, really), I hIGHLY ADVISE YOU LEAVE THIS POST AND NOT READ ANY FURTHER BECAUSE YES, IT DOES CONTAIN MAJOR SPOILERS THAT I WOULD BE MAJORLY UPSET TO REVEAL TO YOU. Anyway, on with the show-
Lately there's been a lot of commotion regarding the release of Mockinjay Part 2, after the many different reactions from Mockinjay Part 1's release back in November 2014. I thought Part 1 was fairly well executed in terms of book-to-movie accuracy, but I'm one of those weird people who's opinion is usually way different from the majority of others. For example, I know that almost everyone in THG fandom thought that Mockingjay was "the worst book ever", they "hated it", thinks "it should be shunned from the face of the earth"...etc. Like I said before, I am weird, and thought that Mockingjay was actually a decent book. Definitely not my favorite, but definitely one of my favorites (if that makes any sense...). I'm getting the vibe that, for some odd reason, fanpeople are WAY more excited for the release of the Mockingjay movie(s) than they were for the book. Don't know why, but I guess that's just the way society works these days.
Back on the topic of the movie, Part 1 was actually banned in Thailand because of the government's fear of arising rebellions caused by inspiration of the movie. Thai citizens protested the ban of the movie anyway, and using the three-finger salute is a crime that could get you arrested there. Based on my knowledge of this, I'm guessing that Part 2 will also not be available to view in the country; so, if you're planning on visiting Thailand and you would really love to see Mockingjay Part 2, I would suggest doing both at separate times.
In preparation for the movie, Mockingjay propaganda, such as movie posters featuring the infamous three-finger salute, have spread throughout the world and are being displayed in 18 countries around the world in the following locations:
Sydney, Australia
Melbourne, Australia
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Toronto, Cananda
Bogota, Colombia
San Salvador, El Salvador
Helsinki, Finland
Paris, France
Munich, Germany
Milan, Italy
Tokyo, Japan
Mexico City, Mexico
Managua, Nicaragua
Moscow, Russia
Madrid, Spain
Stockholm, Sweden
London, England (United Kingdom)
Birmingham, England (United Kingdom)
Los Angeles, California (United States)
New York City, New York (United States)
Montevideo, Uruaguay
The hands featured in the 6 official posters belong to both males and females of ages ranging from 8-80, and of all religions and races. They encourage fans from around the world to put aside all differences and come together as one body (in other words, to "Unite").
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| This poster is located in Munich, Germany |
Many wonder what the three-finger salute actually means; some believe it is an act of defiance, like the Capitol morphs it to be in the books and movies. But really, its a gesture meaning thanks, meaning admiration, or to say goodbye to someone you love. So next time you see the salute being used or use it yourself, remember its real meaning of respect and honor.
Social media users have been including the hashtag "Unite" with posts in reference to the Districts coming together in rebellion against their "beloved" Capitol, as well as updating fans on the progression of the movie.
The image above is one of the Mockingjay Pt. 2 movie posters, giving fans a hint of the outcome of the Districts' rebellion. Notice in the corner of the poster that written in red "spray paint" (as graffiti), is "#Unite", and next to that, the phrase "Revolution.pn". The phrase is actually a web address (If you don't want to know what will happen when you visit the website, don't read the next few sentences) that brings you to a website that "recruits" rebels, and all you do is type your first and last name and email. I'm not really sure what they do with that information, because I just did it a couple minutes previous to typing this. Click on the button labeled "Unite", and it will take you to the official Mockingjay Part 2 teaser trailer on YouTube. Another page mimics the official website of the Capitol. Here you can explore different specials airing on CapitolTV, read about heroes from seven of the twelve Districts (according to the Capitol), and explore more about the Capitol's own view of how it runs Panem. Only, there happens to be a glitch- when you get to the website, it seems like a normal site hosted by the Capitol itself. After a couple of seconds, however, the page blacks out and appears to be taken over by the rebels! You might also notice that when you first get to the website, the background image is a statue of President Snow, sitting in an apparent "throne" between statues of Peeta Mellark and Johanna Mason in their "hijacked by the Capitol" forms. Once the page is liberated by the rebels, you'll notice that the background is the same as the poster shown above, and that Peeta and Johanna are no longer standing among President Snow (hint, hint). I would recommend that you go check out both websites, because it further brings to life the intensity and epic-ness of the Revolution and the idea of the Mockingjay by creating a sort of interactive experience that fans can take part in.
Click here to join the Revolution.
Click here to explore the realm of the Capitol.
The grand opening of an interactive tour into the world of The Hunger Games was held on July 1st, 2015 at Discovery Times Square in New York City, USA. The Hunger Games: The Exhibition offers fans the experience of a lifetime when they see the Hunger Games like never before. Here is the summary of the event at its website (click here to visit website):
"The Hunger Games: The Exhibition celebrates the blockbuster The Hunger Games franchise and Katniss’s epic journey like never before. This dynamic exploration of the art, science, pageantry and history of the world of Panem features iconic costumes, props, and set recreations that highlight the technological wizardry and amazing artistry that brought this world to life. High-tech, hands-on interactives let you dive into exciting behind-the-scenes content, engage deeply with the world of the films, and discover a whole new side of the stories that took the world by storm."
-The Hunger Games: The Exhibition, "About the Exhibition".
I apologize for the lengthy post, but I really enjoy talking about my favorite fandoms and book series. Hopefully you enjoyed this, and don't be afraid to share your comments with us! Unite, join the Revolution, and may the odds be ever in your favor.
~Quidditch_Turtle
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