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A14 PEOPLE / ARTS
Tuesday 14 March 2023
‘The Last of Us’ TV adaptation resonates beyond gamers

By KARENA PHAN draw on itself.”
Associated Press The performances haven’t
LOS ANGELES (AP) — In gone unnoticed by fans,
the HBO series “The Last of who are already speculat-
Us,” a fungal infection has ing about Emmy nomina-
taken over Earth, rendering tions for both Pascal and
the United States an apoc- Bella Ramsey, who plays El-
alyptic landscape protag- lie (between his character
onists Joel and Ellie need Joel and his role on Disney
to traverse. Fans unfamil- Plus’ “The Mandalorian,”
iar with the video game, Pascal has become the in-
from which the series was ternet’s favorite dad).
adapted, might assume “I think, because it’s fo-
this is just another zombie cused on those character
show packed with action arcs and relationships, and
and gore. how the story world puts
However, the story and the pressure to force those for-
characters have subverted ward, those things are really
expectations and received accessible and universal,”
praise from all corners. “The said Tucker, the creator of
Last of Us,” whose first sea- the YouTube channel Les-
son concluded Sunday, has This image released by HBO shows Bella Ramsey, left, and Pedro Pascal in a scene from the series sons from the Screenplay.
not only won over gamers “The Last of Us.” The television format allows
with high expectations, but Associated Press the plot and characters
also people who don’t play released on Playstation 3 a ate the conflict, but aren’t show with friends; what to develop slowly, unlike a
video games. The series decade ago. the only antagonists, for made her stay invested was movie.
premiere drew 4.7 million “And to see a whole bunch there are worse and scarier the third episode, which With a video game played
viewers in the U.S., based of new people connect- things lurking in this apoca- explores the relationship for hours, that length helps
on Nielsen and HBO data, ing with these characters lypse. between survivalist Bill (Nick the viewers develop empa-
making for HBO’s second- … and hearing how they The emotional plot and Offerman) and his partner thy toward the characters.
largest debut, behind interpret the material and complex characters have Frank (Murray Bartlett). The Video games being recog-
“House of the Dragon.” what they like or not like, it’s resonated with fans outside standout episode told a nized as a form of storytell-
“No one could have an- just been really fascinating the traditional genres the story of love and hope in a ing isn’t new. Kim Shay, 26,
ticipated this, this reaction to me,” said Druckmann, series fits into. grim world. “It’s the drama, isn’t a gamer, but she saw
and how positive it’s been who was also the co-cre- “I’m actually kind of afraid there’s a lot of heartbreak, social media buzz around
and how broad it’s been in ator, writer and an execu- of horror and zombie things there’s human emotion the video game years be-
its reach,” said Neil Druck- tive producer on the show. and whatnot. Normally, I and relationships, and that fore the HBO series was
mann, Naughty Dog co- The show explores relatable wouldn’t watch that type definitely is what keeps even announced. She
president and the creator themes like coming of age, of show,” said Victoria Jin, me coming back to it,” Jin watched full playthrough
and writer of the video grief, finding hope and par- a 24-year-old law student. said. “And just like, come videos of the game on You-
game, whose critically ac- enthood. It’s not all about Jin never played the game on, Pedro Pascal. I feel like Tube and was immediately
claimed first installment was zombies the Infected cre- but started watching the that should be enough of a captivated by the story.q

The meaning behind the blue ribbons

worn at the Oscars

by Knotty Tie Co., which ple forced to flee,” the movies. I cannot believe it’s
the agency says provides statement continued. happening to me. This THIS
employment, training and The number of displaced is the American dream.”
education to refugees re- people globally now tops Like other U.N. agencies,
settled in the Denver area. 103 million, a figure aug- UNHCR has a long history
“In many of the films nomi- mented by significant of celebrity engagement
nated at festivals and factors like Russia’s war most famously, Ange-
awards ceremonies this in Ukraine, other conflicts lina Jolie was the refugee
season, the human themes around the world and cli- agency’s lone special en-
of conflict, separation and mate change. voy until parting ways last
Bill Nighy arrives at the Oscars on Sunday, March 12, 2023, at the loss are present,” the agen- Best supporting actor Ke year. Best actress nominee
Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. cy said in the statement, Huy Quan, born in Vietnam, Cate Blanchett is a good-
Associated Press
citing movies like “Ava- referenced his own story of will ambassador for UNHCR.
-By The Associated Press sioner for Refugees, don- tar: The Way of Water” being a refugee during his But on Friday, U.N. spokes-
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Small ning the #WithRefugees and “Marcel the Shell with acceptance speech. person Stéphane Dujarric
and subtle, the blue ribbons ribbons Sunday “sends a Shoes On.” “My journey started on a put in a plug for a goodwill
worn by many celebrities powerful visual message “Through effective storytell- boat. I spent a year in a ref- ambassador from a differ-
at the Oscars nonetheless that everyone has the right ing, these films help erode ugee camp,” Quan said. ent agency the U.N. Devel-
had an important mes- to seek safety, whoever, discrimination and misun- “Somehow, I ended up opment Programme. When
sage: support refugees. wherever, whenever they derstandings, offer new here on Hollywood’s big- asked whether he had a
According to a statement are.” perspectives and help to gest stage. They say stories favorite for best picture, he
from the U.N. High Commis- The ribbons were made build compassion for peo- like this only happen in the demurred.q