Hunger

HUNGER is a powerful film, practically silent except for a long, twenty minute take of a debate. Conveying the story of Bobby Sands, and IRA prisoner in the 90's and the hunger strike he started while in prison, artful grossness is exemplified by artist turned director Steve McQueen. McQueen directs smartly, and apart from his images and his politics lie a strong performance and buried humanity. HUNGER follows three stories (not stringently, as many multiple-character dramas do, but with convenience). The first is of a duo of IRA prisoners, one who is seemingly reluctant in what he's partaking in. For, the prisoners are defiant and rebellious, caking the walls of their cells with their own shit and dousing their piss under the doorways into the hallway. The reluctant prisoner is not belittled by a decision or by explanation, but shown. We sense his fear. What has he gotten himself into? This is the ultimate battleground. The second story surrounds the daily toils of a prison guard. He seems motivated by macho sensibilities and misplaced fears around prisoners. The way his story goes is unexpected, gross, and overtly sad. The third and central story is that of Bobby Sands, who is played greatly by Michael Fassbender. Sands partakes in all of the protests, and as a sort of ringleader, he is usually the most volatile prisoner. However, at some point, Sands determines that his protests are minor, and that only a great statement will last. He thus decides to enter a hunger strike. He will begin with himself, and two weeks after he starts, another prisoner will stop eating. Sands' descent, and Fassbender's loss of thirty-five pounds for the role is astonishing. More daring though is the 20 minute talking scene, which is between Bobby Sands and a priest. They discuss suicide, and whether Sands' killing himself makes sense if it is for a cause, because he will never be able to see the fruits of his efforts. Later though, as Sands dies, is one of the best sequences of the film, in which Sands recollects an event that he used in the conversation with the priest to justify his actions. In his tale, Sands said that as a cross country runner, he discovered with other boys a dying boy in a lake. He says that he did what had to be done, and killed the boy, putting him out of his misery. Everyone else knew it had to be done and wished to, but were unable to gather the courage. Sands' tale is left to be a mystery. Whether it happened or not is unclear. Despite this though, Sands is still dead, and all that remains of him are some artful shots of shit on a wall.
Hunger: ★★★★