Ralph Fiennes has said he is concerned about the prevalence of disinformation, speaking at a London screening of his new film.
The 63-year-old actor stars as authoritarian leader President Coriolanus Snow in The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, the latest instalment in the dystopian franchise.
Film's Propaganda Themes
The film follows a young Haymitch Abernathy, played by Joseph Zada, who is selected to fight in the 50th Hunger Games, where twice as many tributes – two boys and two girls – must fight to the death in the violent televised entertainment event.
The film explores the use of propaganda in upholding the regime's power, as footage leading up to and during the course of the games is manipulated to ensure power is not undermined.
Fiennes on Disinformation
Speaking about the impact and role of disinformation, Fiennes told the Press Association at the screening event: "I am concerned about it because I think we have information coming at us everywhere.
"Governments put out what they want in their propaganda. The press – I don't think all reporting is always accurate. I think there's bias in the press, whether it's left wing or right wing, journalists are positioned to write stories with a certain slant often, not always.
"Of course, relating to this film, it's political disinformation or propaganda, and I think we see it. We see politicians deliberately twisting the facts about their opposites, their enemies.
"What's disturbing is the lack of a humanitarian, a reaching out to heal and to solve divisions.
"We only see countries polarising into enmity. Often people have reasons to be full of anger, but I think we need the great healing figures.
"We live in a world where everyone is looking to be in a fight and they need the information to help them win the fight."
Release and Background
Directed by Francis Lawrence, the film is based on the hit dystopian series written by Suzanne Collins.
Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping will be out in cinemas from November 20.
