In a not-too-distant future, North America has collapsed,
weakened by drought, fire, famine, and war to be replaced by Panem,
a country divided into the Capitol and 12 districts. Each year two
young representatives from each district are selected by lottery to
participate in The Hunger Games. Part entertainment, part brutal
intimidation of the subjugated districts, the televised games are
broadcast throughout Panem. The 24 participants are forced to
eliminate their competitors, literally, with all citizens required
to watch. When 16-year-old Katniss' young sister, Prim, is selected
as the mining district's female representative, Katniss volunteers
to take her place. She and her male counterpart Peeta, will be
pitted against bigger, stronger representatives who have trained for
this their whole lives.