Screening questions
1. What are the principal similarities and differences between The Hunger Games and other examples of American teen cinema that you have studied? Make a list of each. Think about
1. narrative and setting
2. aesthetic
3. marketing
2. Consider the Greg Frame (2019) reading.
To what extent to you agree with his claim that ‘despite the pointedness of their critiques, in imagining these utopian spaces proximate to their dystopian counterparts, these films have also reinforced neoliberal mythology, indulging in the very ‘cruel optimism’ that governs contemporary societies’ (2019: 382)
3. What do you know about the star image of Jennifer Lawrence, who plays Katniss Everdeen in the film. What are the principal elements of her stardom?
4. Why do you think so many examples of the dystopian teen film cycle center on the exceptional “strong girl”? What is the effect of this characterization?
Seminar activities
Activity 1
● What are the principal similarities and differences between The Hunger Games and other examples of American teen cinema that we have studied?
● Similarities
○ narrative and setting – teen love , rebellion, human relationships.
○ Aesthetic –
○ Marketing – marketed to a teen audience
● Are there consequences for the category of teen cinema as a result?
● Groups 1 and 2: discuss similarities
● Groups 3 and 4: discuss differences
Activity 2
Consider the Greg Frame (2019) reading.
Description
You must provide an analysis of at least two films, of which one must be one of the films screened as part of the module.
Your objective is BOTH to examine how these films are examples of the teen cinema genre discussed throughout the module, AND to locate connections and contrasts between the films.
You should aim to demonstrate that your films sit within a wider genre of American teen cinema.
