The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2

The Hunger Games franchise took the world by storm grossing more than $2 billion at the global box office. The final film, Mockingjay Part 2, pulls all the themes and storylines to one epic conclusion. Risen caught up with the cast in Berlin, Germany, to talk doubts and insecurities, pursing dreams, overcoming bullies, and the importance of seeking truth.

Interviewed for Risen Magazine in Berlin, Germany

 Risen Magazine: Jennifer, in the film there is so much manipulation and propaganda that Katniss has to cut through the distortion to get to the truth. In your own life, what doubts or insecurities did you have to overcome to be where you are today?

Jennifer Lawrence: I knew I loved acting, but I didn’t know if anybody was going to want me to do it. I had to push through that. I was really bad at auditioning. I did think auditioning is acting. They throw four pages at you and they are like, “dance monkey!” It’s kind of a Catch 22. I had to get over that auditions are like job interviews and when I get nervous I am not the most eloquently spoken person and I can’t make eye contact, like now [laughter]. Anyway, I ended up finding success without pushing through it.

RM: Josh, many times teens get underestimated, but by the time you were a teenager you could rule this world. What encouragement could you give others about pursuing their dreams?

Josh Hutcherson: I think it’s hard to pursue a dream. You get told “no” a lot and you have to work really hard. I think if it truly is your dream, then the sign of that is that you don’t give up on it. I think it is hard for people to find what their dream really is. But when you do find what you really want to do, then I think you just keep going for it. It sounds cliché, but if it really is a dream then you can’t stop going for it.

RM: Liam, your character is making decisions and speaking his mind even when it goes against what others stand for. In your own life, what gives you the courage to live authentically?

Liam Hemsworth: I am fortunate enough to come from a really good family and that is the thing that has always kept me, me. I was brought up with great values and taught to respect other peoples’ beliefs and ideas. I am so close with my family so I think no matter what happens in life I will always have them to keep me grounded.

RM: Elizabeth, you recently directed Pitch Perfect 2, and you have been in a variety of films. It seems like you are a strong person. Have you always had that trait or what helped you develop your confidence?

Elizabeth Banks: No, you have those moments in your life that you have to learn from. I was bullied when I was young and I remember the first time I stood up to my bully. That is one of those moments that defined me as a person. I was a person that actually refused to be bullied at a certain point. What a great moment in my life. I think you have to find those moments and when they happen to you, you need to take them in and reflect. When you find power and strength in your life, hold on to it and repeat.

RM: In our world today there is so much noise and messaging, especially for youth, how important is it to question what is presented to us?

EB: I love that one of the themes of the film is real or not real; this idea that you should always be questioning what is presented to you. I think that is something that has to be taught. I love that we are encouraging people to question authority, question advertising, question the media and find your moral center.