The Hunger Games

A closer look at the story

Built on the ruins of North America, the nation of Panem consists of a powerful Capitol and the 12 districts beneath it. Each year, to keep its people in line, the Capitol takes two young people chosen by lottery from every district and sends them into the Hunger Games, where they must fight to the death while the whole country watches on television. When her little sister's name is drawn, Katniss Everdeen steps forward without hesitation to take her place. Now one of twenty-four contestants, Katniss must work out how to survive and how far she can defy the rules. Directed by Gary Ross from Suzanne Collins's novel, the 142-minute 2012 film stars Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth and Woody Harrelson in a dystopian science-fiction adventure.