Hunger (Steve McQueen, 2008): UK / Ireland

Reviewed by Darryl Walden. Viewed at the ArcLight theater, AFI Film Festival.

The film Hunger is a poignant reenactment of the imprisoned years of Irish Republican Army leader Bobby Sands.  I am impressed by Steve McQueen’s decision to mark his film debut with a less than popular subject.

The violent exploits of the IRA are legendary and whether rightly motivated is a matter that remains open for debate.  The beauty of Hunger, however, is that it craftily shifts the burden of violent brutality to IRA’s capturors, who are, in fact, public servants of established English institutions of civility.

There is a difference between common criminals and those who cross established lines of civil order in the effort to bring about social change.  The treatment of IRA political prisoners was utterly inhumane and McQueen deliberately focuses on that imbalance, and with emphasis, how innovatively the human spirit can respond to such oppression.  Bobby Sands sought to preserve his cause and dignity through the hunger strike.

Casting Michael Fassbinder in the role of Bobby Sands was a stroke of genius.  Fassbinder was wholly convincing.  We witness his mental and physical preparation for his role.  Close ups of his rib cage were not camera acrobatics or special effects.  It was apparent, he underwent a disciplined fast for realistic projection.

Hunger should have a place in American cinema for its lesson in social consciousness, distinct from our aversion to simply be entertained.