Download
The three-finger salute from the Hollywood movie The Hunger Games is being used as a symbol of resistance in Thailand. Protesters against the military coup are flashing the gesture as a silent act of rebellion, and are being threatened with arrest if they ignore warnings to stop.
Thailand's military rulers say they are monitoring the new form of opposition to the coup.Reporters witnessed the phenomenon and people were captured on film making the raised-arm salute.
"Raising three fingers has become a symbol in calling for fundamental political rights," said anti-coup activist Sombat Boonngam-anong on his Facebook page. He called on people to raise "3fingers, 3 times a day" - at 9 am, 1 pm and 5 pm - in safe public places where no police or military were present.
The gesture emerged over the weekend as protesters joined small flash mobs, or stood alone, raising three fingers in the air.
"We know it comes from the movie, and let's say it represents resistance against the authorities," said Weerachon Sukhondhapatipak, a spokesman for the junta.
"If a single individual raises three fingers in the air, we are not going to arrest him or her," he said. "But if it is a political gathering of five people or more, then we will have to take some action.
"If it persists, then we will have to make an arrest," he said.
In The Hunger Games movie series and book trilogy, the salute symbolizes rebellion against totalitarian rule, signifying thanks, admiration and goodbye to a loved one. But Thai protesters gave varying explanations. Some cited the French Revolution's trinity of values - liberty, equality and fraternity. Others said it meant freedom, election and democracy.
A photo montage circulating online paired a picture from The Hunger Games with a graphic of three fingers labeled, 1, No Coup; 2, Liberty; 3, Democracy.
While the strife-imitating-art nature of the phenomenon is extraordinary, it's not unprecedented. Other examples of pop culture symbols being used to express political sentiments include Occupy protesters wearing the Guy Fawkes mask from the V for Vendetta movie. The practice of tying a yellow ribbon as a symbol of support for hostages, missing soldiers or prisoners was popularized in part by the song Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree that topped the charts in 1973.
The Hunger Games films have been popular in Thailand, but not unusually so. The lastest film, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, made $3.3 million last year, which ranked eighth among2013 releases. The 2017 film The Hunger Games made $2.1 million, ranking 17th that year.
A spokesman for the film distributor Lions Gate said the company was aware of the Thai protest but had no comment.
About the broadcaster:
Lance Crayon is a videographer and editor with China Daily. Since living in Beijing he has worked for China Radio International (CRI) and Global Times. Before moving to China he worked in the film industry in Los Angeles as a talent agent and producer. He has a B.A. in English from the University of Texas at Arlington.
美《资讯周刊》称奥巴马首位同性恋总统
伦敦奥运会公布口号:激励一代人
美国婚礼花费排行 纽约六万美元居首
美国同性恋婚姻和持枪合法支持率上升
体坛英语资讯:Lin regains lead at Womens China Open
涨知识:关于动物的42个有趣事实(下)
美公司拟派机器人太空开矿 卡梅隆加入
国际英语资讯:Nearly 1,000 illegal immigrants rescued off Libyan coast in 2020
国内英语资讯:Experts laud Chinas efforts to combat corruption
国际英语资讯:Anger in Scotland after British PM rules out new independence vote
体坛英语资讯:Man United announce partnership with Chinas Alibaba
体坛英语资讯:Melbardis, Grecu, Jannusch lead bobsleigh Europe Cup ranking
国内英语资讯:Shanghai terminates sister-city relationship with Prague
日本富豪征“人生伴侣”共赴月球 必须满足5个条件
国际英语资讯:Israel launches airstrikes on Syrian air base in Homs
没有最丑只有更丑 盘点全球最丑网站[1]
娱乐英语资讯:Orchestra from Leningrad to perform at NCPA
奥朗德履行承诺 法国新内阁减薪30%
体坛英语资讯:No China gold on Day 1 at Short Track Speed Skating World Cup
好时巧克力2019情人节特别款回归啦!
英国就业部长要求公司雇佣“年轻小混混”
亚马逊网购惊悚体验:买煎饼档,里面竟有陈年老饼
常逛博物馆美术馆能延年益寿
生命的盛夏与严冬
国内英语资讯:China, Sri Lanka vow to further promote cooperation, ties
体坛英语资讯:China fourth in womens team sprint in ISU Speed Skating World Cup
Dress For Yourself 为自己穿衣
澳大利亚富豪将建“泰坦尼克2”号
国际英语资讯:Sri Lanka, Russia to actively engage in Shanghai Cooperation Organization
奥朗德宣誓就职 首次出访专机遭雷击
不限 |
英语教案 |
英语课件 |
英语试题 |
不限 |
不限 |
上册 |
下册 |
不限 |