“The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes”
Genre: Dystopian
Run Time: 156 minutes 

Rating: ★★★★★ 5/5

Until now, there has been no information on why President Snow choses a 16 year old from the poorest district to label as an enemy. With the book and movie adaptation of Suzanne Collins’ “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes,” a new perspective is given. Snow’s perspective. 

And it all begins and ends with Lucy Gray Baird. 

Chosen as the female tribute from District 12 for the 10th annual Hunger Games, Baird is not afraid when she walks up to the stage. She knows that stage, she lives for it. It is there where she sings her way into the hearts of the capital and is labeled as a songbird; almost declaring her victory in the games. But the games start long before the cannon blows. 

Baird meets Snow on the small cart ride to the old tribute center. As her mentor, and a contender for a serious cash prize that could save his family from eviction and hunger, he takes unconventional steps to market her and make her the first female victor from District 12. 

Throughout the story, the relationship between Baird and Snow is highlighted. It is a classic story many of us have seen before, but there is a slight deviation from the trope of falling in love with your enemy. 

Snow has a great internal gift of manipulation. There were times when watching the movie where the audience found themselves forgetting the person he becomes. Where they were, at times, compelled to root for him. 

There is a fine line to look out for. The want to love and the need to control. 

There is also erasure. 

During the days of Katniss Everdeen, there is no mention of Baird at all. There is no description in the book of her time in the games. There are no scenes in the movie telling us that Everdeen was not the first female victor from District 12. She has been removed from Panems history. The story of Lucy Gray Baird has no ending, only the one that Snow has given her. And perhaps the same ending he intended to give to District 12’s girl on fire. 

There are so many different strategies within this movie, allowing it to become much more deeper than it is on the surface. It is a masterful use of art and dialogue that will leave you saying “Oh so that’s why he did what he did.” 

There is an incredibly fascinating rabbit hole of symbolism the movie captures, including the names of the characters’. Look closely at the fashion that is worn during this era. How it differs from the style during the 75th games. How Snow’s fashion differs. 

Look at Shakespearean plays and find the characters’ names in them. Look at how their relationships are similar or different. For those who did not read the book, or are just looking for something to hyperfixate on, this is for you. 

The movie entered theaters on Nov. 17, 2023 and will be finishing up its showtimes around Dec. 13 2023.