IMDb >
Hunger (2008)
Watch It
Buy it at Amazon
Rent it at Blockbuster.com
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
BETA
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotesOverview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv scheduleAwards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage boardPlot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotesFun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQOther Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDeskPromotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo galleryExternal Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clipsHunger (2008) More at IMDbPro »
| Photos (see all 11 | slideshow) | Videos (see all 15) |
         |
|
Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writers:
Release Date:
2 October 2008 (Greece)
more
Tagline:
An odyssey, in which the smallest gestures become epic and when the body is the last resource for protest. more
Plot:
The last six weeks of the life of the Irish republican hunger striker Bobby Sands. full summary | full synopsis
Awards:
Nominated for BAFTA Film Award.
Another 30 wins
&
14 nominations
more
NewsDesk:
(199 articles)
Fassbender and Wasikowska To Star in Jane Eyre?
(From HeyUGuys. 20 November 2009, 2:11 PM, PST)
cinemadaily | Criterion, Denver, and the Decade
(From indieWIRE. 16 November 2009, 11:13 AM, PST)
(From HeyUGuys. 20 November 2009, 2:11 PM, PST)
cinemadaily | Criterion, Denver, and the Decade
(From indieWIRE. 16 November 2009, 11:13 AM, PST)
User Comments:
A challenging visceral experience from an incredible new talent
more (54 total)
Cast
(Credited cast) | Michael Fassbender | ... | Bobby Sands |
 | Stuart Graham | ... | Ray Lohan |
| rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
| Helena Bereen | ... | Ray's mother |
| Larry Cowan | ... | Prison Guard |
| Liam Cunningham | ... | Father Moran |
| Helen Madden | ... | Mrs Sands |
| Des McAleer | ... | Mr Sands |
| Dennis McCambridge | ... | Beaten Prisoner |
| Liam McMahon | ... | Gerry |
| Laine Megaw | ... | Mrs. Lohan |
| Brian Milligan | ... | Davey |
| Rory Mullen | ... | Priest |
| Ben Peel | ... | Stephen Graves - Prison guard |
| Lalor Roddy | ... | William |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
96 min
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
Ireland:15A |
UK:15 |
Australia:MA |
France:-12 |
Portugal:M/16 (Qualidade) |
New Zealand:R16 |
Sweden:15 |
Canada:13+ (Quebec) |
Canada:14A (British Columbia) |
Canada:18A (Alberta/Manitoba/Ontario) |
Finland:K-15 |
Argentina:16
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
Contains a 16.5 minute single shot.
more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in "At the Movies: Summer Special 2008/09" (2008)
more
FAQ
A Note Regarding SpoilersWhy did Bobby Sands starve himself?
How much sex, violence, and profanity are in this movie?
more
more (54 total)
Message Boards
Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Hunger (2008) moreRecommendations
If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
Show more recommendations
|
|
|
|
|
| Some Mother's Son | The Wind That Shakes the Barley | Goodfellas | Gandhi | Chattahoochee |
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
Related Links
| Full cast and crew | Company credits | External reviews |
| News articles | IMDb Drama section | IMDb UK section |
| Add this title to MyMovies |
No other film could have won the Camera d'Or (best debut) at Cannes this year apart from Steve McQueen's searing first effort Hunger. His previous work as a visual artist is more than evident in this true story of martyr Bobby Sands. McQueen has directed the film like an old pro, easily rivalling anything Michael Haneke or Lars von Trier have made. There's such confidence in the execution: extreme long takes, explosive use of sound and violence, beautiful images created from sometimes-disgusting sources, an unconventional structure, etc. A new talent has arrived, and he commands attention.
At first the film only reveals information through imagery, which is both aesthetically pleasing and refreshingly unpatronising. Of course, we are given title cards beforehand for a bit of context, but the politics are largely kept to the middle third of the picture. And what an incredible feat it is. Where the opening and closing acts are dialogue-spare visceral experiences, the middle section is almost nothing but words. Two outstanding scenes, each containing no cuts, showcase terrific acting by Michael Fassbender and Liam Cunningham, and (unlike before) allow the viewer to conjure up his own images.
It must be said some will find it a challenge to watch. There's one long take that is simply a man cleaning for 10 minutes straight, with no voice-over or musical accompaniment. The film also contains disturbingly raw imagery, and some will be thrown by it's Psycho-esquire change of main character. None of these are actually flaws, however -they are strengths. More of a problem is the hard-to-decipher Irish accents, the somewhat trite symbolism at the end, and an unclear backstory.
It clearly details the martyrdom of many prisoners (especially Sands) inside Belfast's Maze prison, who starved themselves as protest against Margaret Thatcher on behalf of the Irish Republican Army in 1981, but little else can be learned concerning the political causes. However, it is designed to be a visceral experience more than a didactic one, so the complaint may be unwarranted. McQueen carefully depicts the British at a personal level as to avoid condemning the people who carried out the government's orders. The last act is even more personal and actually very powerful and moving.
The finest piece of cinema so far this year.