Looking the Part

In the The Hunger Games, Katniss is repeatedly told that she needs to make an impression, to put on a show, to look the part that best helps her survive. However, I noticed that this idea spreads to a lot more than just her as the main character. It can be fairly obvious in some ways, such as at the beginning where the twenty-four tributes are dressed up according to their district. Katniss is, of course, supposed to dress up as a miner, though she and Peeta go against that in the end. Even then, Katniss is looking the part, one of hope, of a new flame burning bright, though these are only themes and ideas we as the viewer know at this point from our outside perspective.

Like stated above, though, this idea of playing the part, I believe, also comes out in full force with the capital's citizens and its leader, President Snow. The citizens are all dressed in garish and outrageous clothing and styles of hair and makeup. It can be said, though, that the average citizen, those closest to the propagandic truth that is pushed by the government are dressed in the most outlandish styles. As a person gets closer to the truth of the situation, they dress more and more tame and "normal". Caeser and Seneca are both fairly involved in the process of the tournament. It's clear that they're in on the more behind the scenes aspects, with President Snow even outright telling Seneca that the tournament is really just an effective way and oppressing the masses. Both these characters are a lot less out of place, or it should be said they're not out of place for us, but really stick out in the capital.

This isn't to say that those more involved in the process are going to be outside the norm. Effie is a pretty involved person, but as she buys more into the propaganda, she dresses more in according with the insane styles of the capital citizens. This whole notion of playing the part is shown not so clearly in the way President Snow dresses. Which is to say he dresses in a fairly conventual way. He has no dyed hair, no designer beard, no clothes that look like a deranged monkey made it using spare fabric. He looks like a normal older man, if a bit more put together. This is because he is as close to the truth of their society as a person can get. He makes no pretense about putting on a show or looking the part. He is aware of the grim way of living the people endure outside of the capital and its perfect little bubble.

Overall, a lot is being done using the designs of costumes, hairs, and makeup. And while on the surface in can just appear to be the production team flexing their muscles, there is a great deal of nuance and meaning behind every choice being made. Even things as simple as the regular clothes Katniss and Peeta wear during their downtime in the capital attests to their status as being outside the sphere of propaganda influence. And it is clear this theme is spread throughout every character in the movie.