HUNGER (2008)
Dir: Steve McQueen
Writ: Steve McQueen, Enda Walsh
Star: Michael Fassbender
Belfast prison. 1982. Irish freedom fighters protest their status as civilian criminals by undermining the system however they can – refusing prison fatigues, smearing cell walls in shit, pouring piss into the corridors. The inmates are hungry for validation. The prison staff are hungry for Irish blood. The IRA are hungry for martyrs. And the world was hungry for meaning. The world is still waiting.
British video artist Steve McQueen’s feature debut is an arresting, visceral and brave take on this landmark moment of Irish history. His quasi-narrative, visually stunning video works flagged a major talent behind the camera, but the path from visual artist to filmmaker is paved with vile symbolic hyperbole and terminal lack of actual story. In short, judgement was reserved as to whether McQueen’s obvious potential would translate into a satisfying feature.
Well, satisfying and more. Surprising and bold. How many debut filmmakers would have the confidence to hold a single camera shot – no pan or tilt or zoom or trickery – on a conversation in a bare room for near on ten minutes? How many would know that it was exactly the right shot for the moment? How many debut filmmakers would lead off the story following a supporting character, switch to another bit player before finally settling on central figure half an hour in? And how many would be able to avert the audience feeling cheated and instead have us loaded with empathy for all? A stunning achievement.
There are so many more superlatives, but just go. Go and see it. Go. Now.
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