Hunger (2008) (English Language)

Spread the love

96min

Cast: Michael Fassbender, Liam Cunningham, Stuart Graham …more

Set in the early 1980’s and Based on real events during the “Troubles” in Northern Ireland, Hunger follows the story of Provisional IRA member and self-declared Political Prisoner Bobby Sands, who following years of oppression inspired a mass hunger strike by imprisoned republicans that had historical consequences for a difficult Anglo-Irish relationship.

Michael Fassbender stars as Sands and delivers a typically intense performance of incredible range, beautifully captured by Director Steve McQueen (12 Years a Slave, Shame) in his feature-length Directorial debut, and what a debut it is.

McQueen is customarily unflinching in his depiction of extremely difficult subject-matters, Hunger can be hard to watch at times and may not be a film for wide audience, the beautifully cinematic depiction of Prison brutality during “The Troubles” is matched by some of the most shocking non-violent scenes you may ever see in a prison film, both of which however are necessary in the context of this story.

Hunger goes beyond a gritty depiction of the dehumanizing nature of subjugation, the film is politically charged with the eternal question of “justified extremism” for a cause , a largely overlooked film in 2008 but a powerful piece of work that is sometimes hard to watch but is engrossing and memorable in equal measure.