‘Hunger Games’ Prequel Reveals Villainous Leader’s Origin Story 

Actors Rachel Zegler, Tom Blyth and Josh Andres Rivera appear during a promotional event for the movie "Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes", in Times Square in New York City, US, November 1, 2023. (Reuters)
Actors Rachel Zegler, Tom Blyth and Josh Andres Rivera appear during a promotional event for the movie "Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes", in Times Square in New York City, US, November 1, 2023. (Reuters)
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‘Hunger Games’ Prequel Reveals Villainous Leader’s Origin Story 

Actors Rachel Zegler, Tom Blyth and Josh Andres Rivera appear during a promotional event for the movie "Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes", in Times Square in New York City, US, November 1, 2023. (Reuters)
Actors Rachel Zegler, Tom Blyth and Josh Andres Rivera appear during a promotional event for the movie "Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes", in Times Square in New York City, US, November 1, 2023. (Reuters)

It wasn't easy for director Francis Lawrence to transform "Hunger Games" franchise villain Coriolanus Snow into a compelling protagonist for a prequel film taking place 64 years before the hit films starring Jennifer Lawrence.

"We had to figure out a way to get an audience emotionally invested in him, to be behind him, to be rooting for him, to empathize with him," Lawrence told Reuters.

"The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes" arrives in theaters on Nov. 17 and delves into the origin stories of some characters from the four previous films. In particular, it explores President Snow's journey to overseeing the brutal games in which young people must fight to the death in an arena for an event called "The Hunger Games."

Like the other films, the Lionsgate prequel is based on a novel by Suzanne Collins, released in 2020.

"Once we felt like we had the audience behind him, we still had to seed in layers of his ambition and layers of his greed and layers of the darkness and layers of his sort of hunger for power so that when he does turn, it feels honest, it feels truthful and believable," Lawrence added.

The older version of Snow from the original films was portrayed by Canadian actor Donald Sutherland and the younger version in the prequel is played by English actor Tom Blyth.

The cast also includes noteworthy actors Viola Davis as Dr. Volumnia, Hunter Schafer as Tigris Snow and Peter Dinklage as Casca Highbottom.

Snow will do anything to succeed, including agreeing to mentor one of the contestants in The Hunger Games, songstress Lucy Gray Baird, played by Rachel Zegler.

What starts as coaching Baird in hopes of bolstering his academic achievements transforms into a sequence of events that take Snow down a menacing path of betrayal.



Konoz Initiative Wins Two Platinum Awards at MUSE Creative Awards for 'Horizon'

Konoz Initiative Wins Two Platinum Awards at MUSE Creative Awards for 'Horizon'
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Konoz Initiative Wins Two Platinum Awards at MUSE Creative Awards for 'Horizon'

Konoz Initiative Wins Two Platinum Awards at MUSE Creative Awards for 'Horizon'

The Konoz initiative, a Saudi Ministry of Media project, has achieved a global milestone by winning two platinum awards at the international MUSE Creative Awards competition for "Horizon" in the cinematography and documentary film categories.

The win brings to 31 the total number of awards won by the initiative locally and internationally, reported the Saudi Press Agency on Sunday.

"Horizon" is one of the production, artistic, and visual works of the Konoz initiative, documenting the richness and diversity of wildlife and natural resources in the Kingdom.

Produced in collaboration with the National Center for Wildlife, the film aims to raise awareness about the environmental diversity in the Kingdom, its unique geographical regions, and efforts to protect wildlife and preserve rare species.

It also introduces the world to the Kingdom's treasures by showcasing its stunning landscapes, rich in diverse plant and animal life, while promoting awareness of its natural wealth.

The international competition celebrates excellence and innovation in design, advertising, and digital media, honoring works that leave a lasting impact on audiences.