Russia does the Hunger Games for real

[Jason]

“Each contestant gives consent that they could be maimed, even killed,” reads an advert. “2000 cameras, 900 hectares and 30 lives. Everything is allowed. Fighting, alcohol, murder, rape, smoking, anything.”

http://www.msn.com/en-ca/news/world/rus ... spartandhp

[pErvinalia]

I hope this is fake news.

[pErvinalia]

And what the fuck is going on in this sub-forum?

[Brian Peacock]

And what the fuck is going on in this sub-forum?

I use this theme all year round.

[JimC]

Contestants will each sign a waiver acknowledging that they might be raped or killed but the rules also state that police are free to arrest anyone who commits a crime on the show. “You must understand that the police will come and take you away,” the rules state. “We are on the territory of Russia, and obey the laws of the Russian Federation.”

Somewhat diminishes the stakes...

[cronus]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/article/3 ... re-allowed

A Russian TV network has launched a real-life version of The Hunger Games.
Contestants will have to survive on their own for nine months in Siberia.

Producers say that anything goes, including rape and murder, although they warn people taking part that they're still subject to the rule of law and can be arrested at any time.
"You must understand that the police will come and take you away. We are on the territory of Russia, and obey the laws of the Russian Federation."

The 20 male and female participants taking part in Game2: Winter can carry knives but aren't allowed guns.
The contestants will have to survive from 1 July 2017 until 1 April 2018 in temperatures which can fall to -40C (-40F).

The men and women on the show have been given special survival training by former GRU Spetsnaz operatives, who used to work under Russia's military intelligence service.
Anyone who wants to take part has to be over 18 and "sane".

You'll also have to pay 10 million roubles (£130,000) - or be voted in by viewers.

Organiser and local entrepreneur, Yevgeny Pyatkovsky, says all participants will have to sign a release of liability in case they're injured or die.
In the frequently asked questions section on Facebook, it says the rules of the game could include "fights, alcohol, murder, rape, smoking, anything at all" but contestants must "obey the laws of the Russian Federation".

(continued)

[DRSB]

So 20 narcissists are going to fight for the money, there have been precedents in history.

[PsychoSerenity]

Contestants will each sign a waiver acknowledging that they might be raped or killed but the rules also state that police are free to arrest anyone who commits a crime on the show. “You must understand that the police will come and take you away,” the rules state. “We are on the territory of Russia, and obey the laws of the Russian Federation.”

Somewhat diminishes the stakes...

Yeah, ludicrously sensationalist headline, and explains why "allow" is in quotes. You could say that any organisation that doesn't specifically bar rape and murder "allows" it with proviso that everyone's still subject to normal criminal proceedings. All they've got is an extensive waiver saying it's not the organisation's responsibility. I'm fairly sure any reality TV show that puts contestants in dangerous situations gets them to sign a waiver to say they're doing it at their own risk.

Having said that I do think this sort of reality TV competition is absolute trash. It's an attempt to create drama without any of the skill or creativity that could for example let you explore culturally significant concepts, but instead relies on the fact that if you put people into desperate situations then eventually something dramatic will happen. But you're supposed to feel it's OK because they volunteered for it. There's already enough people in desperate situations in this world. I'd rather see something that tackles the reasons behind that.