Hunger (2008 film)

Hunger2008Poster

Hunger
Directed by	Steve McQueen
Written by	Enda Walsh, Steve McQueen
Produced by	Laura Hastings-Smith
Starring	Michael Fassbender, Liam Cunningham, Stuart Graham
Cinematography	Sean Bobbitt
Edited by	Joe Walker
Music by	David Holmes
Production company	Blast! Films
Distributed by	Icon Film Distribution
Release date	May  15, 2008 (2008-05-15) (Cannes)
Running time	96 minutes
Country	United Kingdom
Language	English
Budget	£1.5 million
Box office	$2.8 million

Hunger is a 2008 British historical drama film directed by Steve McQueen and written by Enda Walsh and McQueen. It stars Michael Fassbender as Bobby Sands, a member of the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA) who led the 1981 hunger strike in the Maze Prison.

Plot

The film opens with prison officer Raymond Lohan (played by Stuart Graham) following his daily routine, which includes checking under his car for bombs. The narrative then shifts to the Maze Prison, where new IRA prisoner Davey Gillen (played by Brian Milligan) is introduced to the "no-wash" protest led by fellow prisoner Gerry Campbell (played by Liam McMahon).

The film portrays the brutal conditions and the prisoners' determination to maintain their protest. The central focus is on Bobby Sands, who decides to lead a hunger strike to protest the British government's refusal to grant political status to IRA prisoners. The film graphically depicts the physical and psychological toll of the hunger strike on Sands and his fellow inmates.

Cast

• Michael Fassbender as Bobby Sands
• Liam Cunningham as Father Dominic Moran
• Stuart Graham as Raymond Lohan
• Brian Milligan as Davey Gillen
• Liam McMahon as Gerry Campbell

Production

Hunger was the feature film debut of Steve McQueen, who is also a visual artist. The film was produced by Laura Hastings-Smith and Robin Gutch for Blast! Films. The screenplay was co-written by McQueen and Enda Walsh. The film's cinematography was handled by Sean Bobbitt, and the editing was done by Joe Walker.

Release and Reception

Hunger premiered at the 2008 Cannes Film Festival, where it won the Caméra d'Or award for best first feature film. It was released in the United Kingdom on October 31, 2008. The film received critical acclaim for its unflinching portrayal of the hunger strike and the performances of its cast, particularly Michael Fassbender.

Awards

The film won several awards, including the Caméra d'Or at the 2008 Cannes Film Festival, the Sydney Film Prize at the Sydney Film Festival, and the Best Film award at the Evening Standard British Film Awards.

See also

• 1981 Irish hunger strike
• Maze Prison
• Provisional Irish Republican Army
• Steve McQueen (director)
• Michael Fassbender