‘Hunger Games’ hype hits malls

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 14:34:13 GMT

By Suzanne Pontillo/Staff Reporter

photo by Suzanne Pontillo
Fans of the YA novel ‘The Hunger Games’ gathered at the Westfield Broward Mall on March 8 for a chance to meet three of the stars from the movie. The national tour visited malls in eight cities across America in order to promote the film which opened on March 23.

‘The Hunger Games’ craze that has been setting the nation ablaze took to Westfield Broward Mall on March 8. Fans gathered as early as 7 a.m. for their chance to see and possibly meet Jennifer Lawrence, Amandla Stenberg and Alexander Ludwig, three of the book-to-film adaptation’s biggest stars Through a Facebook raffle, some fans received a red wristband that gained them entry to the VIP area. Once there, fans could participate in contests to win yet another wristband that would allow them to meet the stars backstage. Y-100 DJ Michael Yo hosted and provided music for the event, making the eleven hours fans spent waiting to see the cast a bit more enjoyable. Other entertainment provided included a Hunger Games trivia contest, a dance contest, a singing contest and a Q&A in which twelve selected fans had to explain why they should meet the cast and the audience’s amount of applause ultimately decided the winner. "It’s so unrealistic. I didn’t think I was going to get anything special," said Dharyl Auguste, winner of the a capella singing contest. "I just came to see them but I never thought I would be meeting them." Despite the competition, the fans were interacting with each other in light of one huge thing in common: their love for ‘The Hunger Games’ franchise. Many were wearing shirts, storebought and handmade alike, paying tribute to the series and held signs professing their love for their cast member or book character of choice. Some of these signs proudly represented different districts while others declared teams, "Team Peeta" and "Team Gale" being among the most prominent. These fans came not only from South Florida but also from across the country. "I’m on spring break from Michigan State University and my parents moved down here after I graduated high school so I came to visit them. I didn’t even know this was going on until two days ago, but I’m a big fan," said Jack Norgren. With almost 2,000 people at the event, the mall was hectic and packed with security guards. Owners of surrounding stores also had to deal with fans’ screams and event music. "I’ve been getting a lot of customers today and it’s mostly kids who like the movie, but I have no idea what it’s about. I just keep hearing screams and it looks crowded," said Sara Eaton, manager of the mall’s Claire’s. Even though the event was hectic and disorganized, fans still managed to orchestrate significant moments. When the DJ played the song‘Safe and Sound’ by Taylor Swift and The Civil Wars, they grew quiet, put their three fingers up in the air– a sign of respect in District 12 of the book’s fictional country, Panem – and began to sing. When the cast came out, fans resumed the screaming and crying. They even continued to do so while Michael Yo conducted a question and answer session with the cast. The noise, complete with a myriad of proposals to cast members, drowned out the answers Even Lawrence, who portrays lead protagonist Katniss Everdeen, wondered why fans kept cheering at every word she spoke. "I was in England and it was the middle of the night– [audience cheers]. Wait, why are you guys cheering? What’s so exciting about this? You guys really like England, huh?" she said during her response to a question about how she felt when she heard the news that she was going to play Katniss. The National Tour concluded on March 10 in Seattle, Washington, leaving fans anticipating the film like never before.