In 1981 at The Maze prison in Belfast, 10 I.R.A. prisoners died from a hunger strike. The strike was led by Bobby Sands to protest prison conditions and the British government’s refusal to recognize the Republicans as political prisoners. I tell you all of this because “Hunger” has nothing to do with the details.
Artist Steve McQueen directed this film of stunning beauty amidst a world of utter horror. McQueen follows the final days of Bobby Sands, played by Michael Fassbender, with an honest and unflinching portrayal of the hunger strike leader. McQueen avoids a political statement and instead creates a treatise on humanity.
The film is overflowing with sympathetic characters struggling to accept their existence in a world of madness. There’s the prison guard, who although complicit in the conditions of the prison, is obviously unhappy to be a part of it. There’s the young Republican full of piss and vinegar, ready to prove himself but alas only a child pretending to be a man. Then there’s the orderly who nurses Bobby with a compassionate heart, although clearly from a different world.
The film speaks more to the nature of war. There are soldiers, then there are the families of soldiers. There are politicians and then there are civilians. Politicians and soldiers are called by war, while civilians and soldier’s families are thrust into war. In 95 minutes and with minimal dialogue, McQueen is able to cut right to the emotional core of all of these people.
I was so blown away by this film. I rarely use the word brilliant or genius but “Hunger” is both. I’ve been watching Hollywood films so much recently that I forgot there was such a thing as acting. In the middle of the film McQueen unveils a 17 minute scene made up of a single shot. One shot. The shot reminded me of Akira Kurosawa, Alfred Hitchcock or the opening of Robert Altman‘s “The Player.” We never see actors acting anymore. No director with his head on straight would give an actor in Hollywood a chance to carry a scene for 17 minutes, much less one minute. Our films are made of so many cuts. One line at a time is all they need to remember. But “Hunger” allows, nay encourages its actors to become the characters.
Michael Fassbender lost 40 pounds for the role. Liam Cunningham moved into Fassbender’s apartment and rehearsed the 17 minute scene as many as 12 times a day. It’s unheard of in Hollywood. Imagine Sandra Bullock attempting anything like this.
“Hunger” is a masterpiece. It’s a simple fact. It’s at times hard to watch and yet impossible to look away from. There is no discernible plot. It’s merely an observation of life in 1981 Belfast. The audience is a fly on the shit-stained wall of The Maze.
Run out and get this movie now.
