This post leaves me intrigued as to what was obscene about both films. Neither of which I have seen, incidentally, but a couple of minutes on Wikipedia tells me they come from such different genres I am wondering what the common factor is that you class as obscene.
The sheer level of abuse and torture of the powerless by those in control is the common thread. I don't tend to look upon sex as obscene (frankly, it's usually kind of boring to watch), but abuse of power, slavery, torture, rape, and brutality definitely do.
In Lives of Others, the film is NOT subtle about suicide being preferable to life in that kind of hell. Think 1984 squared. The protagonist in that movie has a revelation, of a sort...and while satisfying to watch, it doesn't make up for the horror that precedes it.
Hunger Games has the same suicide being preferable to that kind of torture leitmotif, only even worse than Lives of Others. The dehumanisation of the characters is more profound and complete.
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In Lives of Others, the film is NOT subtle about suicide being preferable to life in that kind of hell. Think 1984 squared. The protagonist in that movie has a revelation, of a sort...and while satisfying to watch, it doesn't make up for the horror that precedes it.
Hunger Games has the same suicide being preferable to that kind of torture leitmotif, only even worse than Lives of Others. The dehumanisation of the characters is more profound and complete.
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