Hunger

Film: Hunger
Director: Steve McQueen
Starring: Michael Fassbender, Stuart Graham, Liam McMahon, Brian Milligan
Premieres: Cannes Film Fest [17 May 08], 31 Oct 08[SG]

Hunger is a provocative interpretation of the true story of IRA volunteer, MP, poet Bobby Sands, who led a hunger strike as a political tactic in a long running battle over prison conditions. He and his fellow prisoners demand to be treated as political prisoners and not as terrorists. Their demands are refused. He stays true to his word. He died 66 days into the strike, as do nine other prisoners after him. Six months after his death the state begins to concede to their demands.
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The first hour of hardly any dialogue but all grim suffering and assault in the prison set a dark tone for the film. The pace had the artsy slowness which was well contrasted with the intense conversation in the middle, and blended with the painful hunger strike ordeal. First time director McQueen also looked at the treatment through a reluctant prison officer and young guard's eyes during the blanket and dirty protests which ultimately led to the strike.

Amazing and certainly deserving of Cannes' Camera d'Or.

7.5/10*

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