Pssst, want to check out Hunger in our new look?
Information
- Year
- 2008
- Runtime
- 96 min.
- Director
- Steve McQueen
- Genres
- Crime, Drama, Thriller, Biography
- Rating *
- 7.5
- Votes *
- 40,440
- Checks
- 9,340
- Favs
- 879
- Dislikes
- 58
- Favs/checks
- 9.4% (1:11)
- Favs/dislikes
- 15:1
Top comments
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greenhorg
This is a movie like Citizen Kane or I Am Cuba where the director deliberately and ambitiously experiments with filmmaking choices. (e.g. very little dialogue, then an uninterrupted 20 minute cut of dialogue; main character not introduced until middle of movie, etc). Steve McQueen is one to look out for. 11 years 11 months ago -
the3rdman
Unflinching and unsentimental. McQueen is very good at examining the dehumanizing qualities of the prison apparatus, for both the prisoners and the warders/law enforcement officers. The contrast between the brutality of the first half of the film and the almost sanctified treatment of Sands during his hunger strike is fascinating; while the early resistance of the prisoners results in reactionary violence, the internalization of violence by the hunger-strikers upon their own bodies complicates and disturbs the cycle. Care is taken to provide every comfort for Sands as he literally wastes away. But why? The film is ultimately extremely ambiguous; a necessity, perhaps, considering the troubling subject.
I don't think that McQueen was attempting to present a "compelling story," at least not in the narrative sense. It seems to me to be a reflection on the prison institution, ideological fervour, and their effect on the body. More horrifying than "beautiful," and, although spare, conceptually complex. 11 years 7 months ago -
stexdo
The best movie debut by a director of the last 10 years. I would have expected McQueen to have a Haneke-like continuation of his career but instead he went hollywood and still made two other great movies. Fassbender is stellar. 10 years ago
Friends
Login to see which of your friends have seen this movie!In 6 official lists
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This movie ranks #49 in Time Out's The 100 Best British Films
Time Out's The 100 Best …
49 -
This movie ranks #78 in TSPDT's 21st Century's Most Acclaimed Films
TSPDT's 21st Century's M…
78 -
This movie ranks #448 in Cahiers du Cinéma's Annual Top 10 Lists
Cahiers du Cinéma's Annu…
448 -
This movie ranks #577 in The Criterion Collection
The Criterion Collection
577 -
This movie ranks #638 in Sight & Sound's The Greatest Films of All Time
Sight & Sound's The Grea…
638 -
This movie ranks #709 in TSPDT's 1,000 Greatest Films
TSPDT's 1,000 Greatest F…
709