Hunger (1966)
"Sult" (original title)

In 1890, Pontus, the starving writer, wanders the streets of Christiania, in search of love and a chance to get his work published. All he meets is defeat and suffering while his sense of ... See full summary »

Director:

Henning Carlsen

Writers:

Henning Carlsen, Knut Hamsun (novel),

Stars:

Per Oscarsson, Gunnel Lindblom, Birgitte Federspiel

6 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Per Oscarsson	...	Pontus
Gunnel Lindblom	...	Ylajali
Birgitte Federspiel	...	Her sister
Knud Rex	...	Landlord
Hans W. Petersen	...	Grocer
Henki Kolstad	...	Editor
Roy Bjørnstad	...	Konstantin
Sverre Hansen	...	Painter
Pål Skjønberg	...	Constable
Else Heiberg	...	Landlady
Lise Fjeldstad	...	Little girl
Carl Ottosen	...	Sailor
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Bjarne Andersen
Wilfred Breistrand
Osvald Helmuth	...	Pawnbroker

Storyline

In 1890, Pontus, the starving writer, wanders the streets of Christiania, in search of love and a chance to get his work published. All he meets is defeat and suffering while his sense of reality is withering. One moment his is delighted and the next he curses everybody. All the time he manages to maintain human dignity and pride.

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Plot Keywords:

money | writer | 1890s | pride | daydream | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

Denmark Norway Sweden

Language:

Danish Swedish Norwegian

Release Date:

12 August 1968 (USA)

Also Known As:

Hunger

Filming Locations:

Oslo, Norway

Company Credits

Production Co:

Sandrews, Studio ABC, Svenska Filminstitutet (SFI)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

112 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Did You Know?

Connections

Edited into Eventyret om dansk film 16: I lyset af en filmlov - 1965-1966 (1996)

User Reviews

Superb portrayal of arrogance... and loneliness

Knut Hamsun's novel 'Hunger' is one of the better known books of the "outsider" canon. It's a great book, but one that must have been difficult to adapt into 'Sult'. It's written in first person, and has a dreamlike and rambling feel as the starving writer battles to write a masterpiece and raise enough money for a meal.

'Sult' starts worryingly. Carlsen's opening shots of the streets of Christiania (Oslo) in 1890 - with wacky carnival music for the theme tune - are reminiscent of a student film. The movie rapidly improves though... as soon as Per Oscarsson starts to act.

Oscarsson genuinely looks starved and near death, with hollow eyes and a teetering walk in the wind. Yet he also captures Pontus' showy arrogance and refusal to admit to anyone that he is starving. Oscarsson walks that line perfectly, and there's enough in his looks and movement to gradually draw sympathy. I found myself willing for Pontus to just ask for help... to the point I wanted to shake him... but he ploughs resolutely on, convinced he'll write something that will blow people's minds.

The film has also been criticised for portraying a stereotype of a starving artist. The counter argument is 'Sult' was one of the first literary portrayals of this stereotype. And even if Pontus isn't as much of a surprise as he would have been 40 - or 100 - years ago, the character is easily interesting enough to maintain attention. There's also plenty of black comedy in the scenes where Pontus visits the pawnbroker and offers ludicrous things for sale, while he still desperately tries to come across as moneyed and intellectual.

I think Carlsen did a superb job of capturing the spirit of 'Hunger', without following it slavishly enough to hurt the visual flow. The film doesn't use lengthy voice-overs, and prefers to let the acting and the situations show Pontus' complex mental state. For that reason, 'Sult' should play for both fans of 'Hunger' and for viewers interested in outsider folks fighting to exist. Sure, the cinematography lacks flair and the movie will be too slow for some, but it's a rewarding and thought provoking movie.