WHO’S WHO IN PANEM—YOUR GUIDE TO THE KEY PLAYERS IN THE HUNGER GAMES

We all know that Katniss is the heroine of this story, but there are many great and colourful characters in the world of Panem in The Hunger Games. Here is your cheat sheet to refresh your memory, or get a quick jump on who the characters are.

Set in the ruins of the land formerly known as North America, the annual Hunger Games are about to get under way – and 16-year-old contender Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) has only the remotest chance of beating the fearsome odds. Like most of the nation of Panem, Katniss lives in one of twelve enslaved districts, ruled over by a mystery-shrouded Capitol, which after decades of chaos and war, suppresses the people under the thumb of a harsh dictatorship.

Every year, on Reaping Day, each of the districts must choose, by lottery or volunteer, one boy and one girl to represent them in the Capitol‘s twisted idea of grand entertainment that proves its total control, while also giving the famished populace the faintest ray of hope to hang onto. These are the Hunger Games, which are an intense gladiatorial competition between 24 adolescent warriors known as Tributes, broadcast live on TV until only one survivor remains. But when Katniss‘ little sister, Primrose, gets chosen on Reaping Day, she volunteers to take her sister‘s place. Instantly, she and her new co-Tribute, the baker‘s son Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson), are taken into custody, whisked to the Capitol, thrown into glamorous makeovers and grueling training, readying themselves to be pitted against other Tributes from the wealthier districts and have had training for these Games their entire lives.

In the days to come, under the mentorship of drunken former victor Haymitch Abernathy, Katniss begins her training in order for some a glimmer of hope to stay alive during these brutal games.

In District 12:

Katniss: The Tribute who becomes a heroine when she volunteers to take her sister‘s place in the Hunger Games                                                                                          Gale: Katniss‘ fellow hunter, rebel and best friend, who is heartbroken when she volunteers and departs for the Games                                                                        Peeta: The male Tribute from District 12, who has long harbored secret feelings for Katniss

Katniss’ Hunger Games Team:

Haymitch: Victor of the 50th Hunger Games, now the rarely sober mentor for Katniss and Peeta                                                                                                                              Effie: Katniss‘ elaborately-coiffed escort and PR handler for the Games                      Cinna: Katniss‘ personal Stylist for the Games who becomes her unexpected confidante and supporter                                                                                                              Portia: Peeta‘s Stylist for the Games                                                                          Venia, Flavius and Octavia: Katniss‘ Prep Team for the Games

Key Tributes:

Marvel and Glimmer: The ruthless, skilled Career Tributes from District 1                    Cato and Clove: Hailing from District 2, the two most fearsome Career Tributes in the Games                                                                                                                    Foxface: The female Tribute from District 5, whose smarts lead her to favor strategy over force                                                                                                                             Rue: The Games‘ youngest Tribute from District 11, who becomes Katniss‘ closest ally                                                                                                                            Thresh: The male Tribute from District 11

The Capitol Powers:

President Snow: The dictator of Panem who rules with his own brand of laid-back brutality                                                                                                                     Seneca Crane: The head Gamemaker, who created the 74th Hunger Games           Caesar Flickerman: The official television interviewer for the Games                      Claudius Templesmith: The infamous TV announcer of the Hunger Games