Hunger (2008)

Director:

Steve McQueen

Writers:

Enda Walsh (written by) and
Steve McQueen (written by)

Release Date:

2 October 2008 (Greece)

Genre:

Biography | Drama | History

Tagline:

An odyssey, in which the smallest gestures become epic and when the body is the last resource for protest.

Plot:

Irish republican Bobby Sands leads the inmates of a Northern Irish prison in a hunger strike.

Plot Keywords:

Hunger | Hunger Strike | Prison | Irish | IRA

Awards:

Nominated for BAFTA Film Award. Another 33 wins & 20 nominations

Cast

Stuart Graham	...	Raymond Lohan
Laine Megaw	...	Raymond's Wife
Brian Milligan	...	Davey Gillen
Liam McMahon	...	Gerry Campbell
Karen Hassan	...	Gerry's Girlfriend
Michael Fassbender	...	Bobby Sands
Frank McCusker	...	The Governor
Lalor Roddy	...	William
Helen Madden	...	Mrs. Sands
Des McAleer	...	Mr. Sands
Geoff Gatt	...	Bearded Man
Rory Mullen	...	Priest
Ben Peel	...	Riot Prison Offficer Stephen Graves
Helena Bereen	...	Raymond's Mother
Paddy Jenkins	...	Hitman
Liam Cunningham	...	Father Dominic Moran
Billy Clarke	...	Chief Medical Officer
Ciaran Flynn	...	Twelve Year Old Bobby
B.J. Hogg	...	Loyalist Orderly
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Larry Cowan	...	Prison Guard (uncredited)
Denis Halligan	...	Naked Prisoner (uncredited)
Thomas James Scott	...	Riot Officer (uncredited)

Directed by
Steve McQueen

Writing credits
Enda Walsh		(written by) and
Steve McQueen		(written by)

Produced by
Iain Canning	....	executive producer
Peter Carlton	....	executive producer
Edmund Coulthard	....	executive producer
Robin Gutch	....	producer
Laura Hastings-Smith	....	producer
Linda James	....	executive producer
Andrew Litvin	....	line producer
Jan Younghusband	....	executive producer

Original Music by
Leo Abrahams
David Holmes

Cinematography by
Sean Bobbitt		(director of photography)

Film Editing by
Joe Walker

Casting by
Gary Davy

Production Design by
Tom McCullagh

Art Direction by
Brendan Rankin

Costume Design by
Anushia Nieradzik

Makeup Department
Jacqueline Fowler	....	chief hair designer
Jacqueline Fowler	....	chief makeup designer
Cheryl Hill	....	hair stylist
Cheryl Hill	....	makeup artist
Judith Laverty	....	hair stylist
Judith Laverty	....	makeup artist
Maria Moore	....	hair stylist
Maria Moore	....	makeup artist
Alison Rainey	....	hair stylist
Alison Rainey	....	makeup artist
Robyn Wheeler	....	hair stylist (as Robin Wheeler)
Robyn Wheeler	....	makeup artist (as Robin Wheeler)
Sian Wilson	....	hair stylist
Sian Wilson	....	makeup artist
Stuart Conran	....	prosthetic technician (uncredited)
Dan Frye	....	prosthetics technician (uncredited)
Vesna Giordano	....	silicone prosthetics technician (uncredited)
Lisa Hill	....	makeup daily (uncredited)
Paul Hyett	....	special makeup effects artist (uncredited)

Production Management
Alistair Hopkins	....	post-production supervisor
Cathy Mooney	....	production supervisor

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Michele Burn	....	assistant director runner
Mark Fenn	....	first assistant director
Matthew Hanson	....	second assistant director (as Matt Hanson)
Adam Philpott	....	third assistant director

Art Department
Antony Buonomo	....	graphic artist
Diarmid Carr	....	dressing props
David Carson	....	dressing props
Paul Cooke	....	plasterer
Cole Doherty	....	construction manager
Hugh Gault	....	carpenter
Neville Gaynor	....	scenic artist
Heather Greenlees	....	assistant art director
Tommy Hilland	....	painter
Colin Holmes	....	dressing props
Rebecca Luckley	....	art department runner
Daniel Lyons	....	standby painter (as Danny Lyons)
Frank Matthews	....	plasterer
Anto McCabe	....	plasterer
Thomas McCann	....	plasterer
Stuart McConnaughie	....	carpenter
Dan McCoy	....	painter
Pat McKane	....	standby props
Kieron Mcnamara	....	standby props
Alan Nixon	....	standby carpenter
Jim Reid	....	construction manager
Patsy Smith	....	plasterer
Sarah Speers	....	props buyer
Steve Wheeler	....	property master
Neil McNally	....	props (uncredited)

Sound Department
Danny Crowley	....	sound maintenance engineer
Richard Davey	....	sound re-recording mixer
Paul Davies	....	sound designer
Ronan Hill	....	sound mixer
Michael McKnight	....	sound trainee
Mervyn Moore	....	sound mixer
Laurence O'Keefe	....	sound maintenance engineer
Adam Ridge	....	sound maintenance engineer
Peter Shaw	....	assistant sound editor
Chu Li Shewring	....	additional sound effects editor (as ChuLi Shewring)
Chris Treble	....	assistant sound re-recording mixer
Antonia Bates	....	additional adr editor (uncredited)
Rachel Carberry	....	assistant adr recordist (uncredited)
Tom Deane	....	adr mixer (uncredited)
Steve Haynes	....	adr recordist (uncredited)
Lionel Strutt	....	adr coordinator (uncredited)

Special Effects by
Scott Peters	....	special effects technician (uncredited)
Bob Smoke	....	visual effects supervisor: Bob Smoke Special Effects (uncredited)

Visual Effects by
James Ballard	....	production executive: Dragon DI
Valentina Catena	....	digital grading assistant: Dragon DI
Michele De Benedetti	....	film scanning and clean-up: Dragon DI
Myfanwy Harris	....	visual effects artist: Dragon DI
Paul J. Wright	....	film scanning and recording manager: Dragon DI

Stunts
Andy Bennett	....	stunt artist
Jamie Edgell	....	stunt artist
Paul Herbert	....	stunt coordinator
Mark Mottram	....	stunt artist
James O'Donnell	....	stunt artist (as James O'Dee)

Camera and Electrical Department
Natasha Back	....	second assistant camera
Brian Beaumont	....	gaffer
Louise Ben-Nathan	....	camera loader (as Louise Ben Nathan)
Steve Casey	....	generator operator
Rob Collins	....	electrician
Ian Glenister	....	rigging gaffer
Conor Hammond	....	focus puller
Steffan Hill	....	still photographer
Gary Hutchinson	....	standby rigger
Jill Jennings	....	still photographer
Davie Mayes	....	electrician
Stephen McBroom	....	camera trainee
Paul Molloy	....	electrician
Stephen Murphy	....	steadicam operator
Steve Pugh	....	key grip
Suzanne Sanders	....	electrician
Hugo Wilkinson	....	rigger
Ruth Woodside	....	camera trainee: second unit (as Ruth Greer)
Rob Gilmour	....	clapper loader dailies (uncredited)

Casting Department
Clare Ewing	....	casting assistant (uncredited)

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Louise Allen	....	assistant costume designer
Carla Barrow	....	costume assistant
Diane Campbell	....	wardrobe assistant
Heather Long	....	daily costume assistant (uncredited)

Editorial Department
Geoffrey R. Case	....	colorist
Phil Eldridge	....	assistant editor
Julie Harding	....	digital intermediate producer (as Julie Pucher)
Myfanwy Harris	....	digital intermediate operator
Claire O'Neill	....	assistant editor
Tony Ray	....	digital intermediate executive
Sara Janasz	....	post-production coordinator (uncredited)

Music Department
Hugo Nicolson	....	score mixer

Transportation Department
Johnny Crawford	....	unit driver
Sharron McBride	....	driver
Dermott McKee	....	driver: minibus (as Dermot McKee)
Roy McManus	....	driver: minibus
Karl Moor Lewy	....	driver: action vehicle
Davey Wilson	....	driver: cherry picker
Ryan Marshall	....	unit driver (uncredited)

Other crew
Nigel Abbas	....	legal advisor
Reno Antoniades	....	production lawyer: Lee & Thompson
Ursula Arens	....	dietician: Michael Fassbender
Natalie Bass	....	production lawyer: Lee & Thompson
Jemma Beach	....	production runner
Claire Bosworth	....	head of production: Blast! Films
Diarmaid Breathnach	....	director: Broadcasting Commission of Ireland's Sound & Vision Scheme
Antony Buonomo	....	title designer
Michele Burn	....	production runner
David Cooke	....	assistant location manager
Bethan Cousins	....	fund manager: Wales Creative IP Fund
Sean Curran	....	additional floor runner
Lisa Curry	....	clearance
Harry Dixon	....	business affairs: Channel 4 and Film4
Helen Dudley	....	business affairs: Channel 4 and Film4
Kirstie Edgar	....	script supervisor
Mark Edwards	....	production accountant
Alistair Ferguson	....	health and safety advisor
Tracy Ferguson	....	unit nurse
Brian Furey	....	commissioning officer: roadcasting Commission of Ireland's Sound & Vision Scheme
Catherine Geary	....	location manager
Damien Glenholmes	....	location scout
Robert Gyle	....	armourer
Faye Hamilton	....	researcher: Blast! Films
Neil Haughton	....	doctor: Michael Fassbender (as Dr. Neil Haughton)
Lauren E. Hood	....	production assistant (as Lauren Hood)
Pay Hoy	....	accounts assistant
Steve Joberns	....	auditor: Shipleys
Tracey Josephs	....	representative: Channel 4 and Film4 (as Tracey Joseph)
Moyra Lock	....	head of marketing: Northern Ireland Screen
Lisa Marsden	....	insurance agent: Media Insurance Brokers
Linda Martin	....	head of finance: Northern Ireland Screen
Sharron McBride	....	runner
Millar McCall Wylie	....	legal services: Northern Ireland Screen
Leona McCarren	....	additional floor runner (as Leona McCarron)
Damian McParland	....	legal services: Northern Ireland Screen
Christos Michaels	....	legal services: Wales Creative IP Fund, Lee & Thompson
Richard Moore	....	insurance agent: Media Insurance Brokers
Stephen Murphy	....	legal services: Wales Creative IP Fund, Lee & Thompson
Prash Nak	....	legal advisor
Rebecca O'Connor	....	representative: Channel 4 and Film4
Stacey Quigley	....	production trainee
Anne Quinn	....	production coordinator: Northern Ireland Screen
Andrew Reid	....	head of production: Northern Ireland Screen
Sarah Rushbrook	....	production assistant: Blast! Films
Peter Alexander Scott	....	floor runner (as Peter Scott)
Sue Bruce Smith	....	commercial development: Channel 4 and Film4
Hilary Stewart	....	representative: Channel 4 and Film4
Andrew Sturcke	....	production lawyer: Lee & Thompson
Bethan Thomas	....	investment executive: Wales Creative IP Fund
Ian Thomson	....	publicist
Graham Wheeler	....	accounts assistant
Richard Williams	....	chief executive: Northern Ireland Screen
Nigel Wood	....	production accountant
Susie Wright	....	funding programmes coordinator: Northern Ireland Screen
Michael Gibson	....	epk assistant (uncredited)

Production Companies

• Film4 (presents)
• Channel Four Film (as Channel 4) (presents)
• Northern Ireland Screen (in association with) (presents)
• Broadcasting Commission of Ireland (in association with) (presents)
• Wales Creative IP Fund (in association with) (presents)
• Blast! Films
• Sound & Vision Broadcasting Funding Scheme (with the support of)

Distributors

• Fugo Film (2009) (Germany) (theatrical)
• IFC Films (2009) (USA) (theatrical)
• Mantarraya Producciones (2010) (Mexico) (theatrical)
• Maple Pictures (2009) (Canada) (theatrical)
• Mozinet (2010) (Hungary) (theatrical) (Hungary)
• Paradiso Entertainment (2008) (Netherlands) (theatrical)
• Paradiso (2008) (Luxembourg) (theatrical)
• Paradiso (2009) (Belgium) (theatrical)
• Ascot Elite Home Entertainment (2009) (Germany) (DVD)
• Atlantic Film (2009) (Finland) (DVD)
• Channel Four Films (2008) (UK) (TV)
• Criterion Collection, The (2010) (USA) (DVD)
• Criterion Collection, The (2010) (USA) (DVD) (Blu-ray)
• Film1 (2009) (Netherlands) (TV) (limited)
• Icon Film Distribution (2008) (Australia) (all media)
• Icon Film Distribution (2008) (UK) (all media) (except TV)
• Icon Film Distribution (2008) (New Zealand) (all media)
• MK2 Diffusion (2008) (France) (all media)
• Maple Pictures (2009) (Canada) (DVD)
• Paradiso Home Entertainment (2009) (Netherlands) (DVD)
• Seven Films (2009) (Greece) (all media)

Special Effects

• Dragon Digital Intermediate (visual effects)
• Bob Smoke Special Effects (special effects)

Other Companies

• ARRI Lighting Rental  electrical equipment (as ARRI Rntal)
• ARRI Media  camera equipment
• BBC Motion Gallery  archive
• Capello Media Solutions  negative check
• Clarity Post Production Sound  foley
• Clarity Post Production Sound  recording
• Comber Commercial  vehicles
• Courier City Air Express  rushes
• Dolby Laboratories  sound mix
• Dragon Digital Intermediate  digital intermediate
• Drama, Belfast  music recorded and mixed at
• Eastside Communications  publicity: Germany
• En Route Catering  catering (as EnRoute Catering)
• Extras NI  extras casting
• Fuji Photo Film  motion picture film supplied by
• Fuji  film stock
• G & H Film & Television Services  transport and facilities (as G & H Services)
• Go Truck  vehicles
• Goldcard Security Agency  location security (as Gold Card Security)
• Gripstep  grip equipment
• Lee & Thompson  legal services: legal services: Wales Creaive IP Fund
• Lee & Thompson  production lawyers
• Mayflower Studios  ADR recording studio
• Media Insurance Brokers  insurance services
• Michael Corish Productions  epk
• National Film Trustee Company  collection account
• North Irish Driver  safety boat
• PS-PostScript  post-production script service
• Paul Davies Sound Design  sound design
• Paul Davies Sound Design  sound editing
• Shipleys  auditing
• Shoot NI  walkie talkies
• Simply Good Food  catering
• Stranmillis Taxis  taxis
• The Yard  editing facilities
• Wellington Park Hotel  hotel
• Yellowmoon  editing facilities (as Yellow Moon)

Also Known As:

Runtime:

96 min

Country:

UK | Ireland

Language:

English | Irish Gaelic

Colour:

Colour

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Ireland:15A | UK:15 | Australia:MA | France:-12 | Portugal:M/16 (Qualidade) | New Zealand:R16 | Sweden:15 | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Canada:14A (British Columbia) | Canada:18A (Alberta/Manitoba/Ontario) | Finland:K-15 | Argentina:16 | Germany:16 (DVD rating) | Singapore:M18 | USA:Not Rated

Company:

Film4

Trivia:

The scene which features a conversation between Sands and a Catholic priest was filmed in one continuous 16-minute take on the first day of filming in Northern Ireland and took Michael Fassbender and co-star Liam Cunningham four attempts to complete.

Quotes:

Bobby Sands:I always felt that thief next to Jesus got off lightly.
Father Dominic Moran:Ah, but he recognized his sins.
Bobby Sands:Did he though?
Father Dominic Moran:Aye. Said as much.
Bobby Sands:When you're hung from a cross you're gonna say anything. Jesus offers him a seat next to his daddy in a place called paradise you're always gonna put your hand up and have a piece of that.
Father Dominic Moran:Aye. Even when it's nailed to your cross.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Ebert Presents: At the Movies: Episode #2.20" (2011)

Dedication

Hunger (2008) ****

Bobby Sand's story has been told before on screen, but never with such raw intensity and unrelenting artistry as in Hunger. The film is directed by Turner Prize winning artist Steve McQueen. While his art has often been part of the film medium, this is his first entry into feature film-making.

The film sparked both controversy and applause at this years Cannes Film Festival, with both disgusted walkouts and rousing ovation. It the end it landed McQueen the Camera D'or.

While the film follows the final weeks of Bobby Sand's hunger strike, it is equally about recreating the atmosphere and conditions inside the infamous Long Kesh Maze Prison. Its nearly a half hour into the film before we even meet Sands, in fact. We're introduced to a prison guard, who outside nervously checks his car for bombs, quietly avoids his comrades, then becomes as vicious as any other when brutalizing the inmates. We're also first introduced to a new inmate, who, as per the IRA standard, refuses to war a uniform and instead goes simply wrapped in a blanket. He and his cellmate smear the walls of their cells in feces as part of the no wash protest.

Bobby is played by Michael Fassbender, who gives a quietly powerful performance. For the film he underwent a medically supervised crash diet, one rivaling - if not outright surpassing - that of Christian Bale in the Machinist. He moves throughout the film with a sense of determination and dedication.

It is difficult to go into any detail about plot, as the film more or less moves patiently and quietly towards the inevitable. And the key word may be quiet. McQueen claimed that he originally envisioned doing the film dialogue free. Indeed, much of Hunger is free of dialogue. However, McQueen, as he puts it, felt it would be more powerful to go from vocal silence into an avalanche of dialogue. And so the films centerpiece was born - a 20 minute stationary shot of Bobby speaking with his Priest. In a film that is filled with a dark heaviness in a cruel prison atmosphere, that meeting lifts a weight for a time, before slowly descending into a sad sense of inevitability. Though that inevitability is liberating, it is nonetheless a profoundly sad one. The film also does not shy away from the cruelty of the British towards the Irish, though it also does not deny the brutality of the IRA at times - as characterized in one shocking moment. However, anyone with any inkling of rational knowledge on the Irish struggles knows that the IRA was never simply a terrorist organization, but a rebel group that did from time to time employ terrorist tactics. Like all anti-state organizations, however, the IRA did not exist for the sake of conflict, but because of callousness and cruelty. McQueen reminds us of the cruelty and arrogance of the British particularly through the cold words of Margaret Thatcher, speaking shamelessly about Sands' strike.

There have been many fantastic films about the Irish Struggles, with some of the best coming in recent years (Ken Loach's fantastic Wind that Shakes the Barley, and Paul Greengrass's Bloody Sunday, to name two of the better). This one, I think, may be the best. At least from an artistic and purely visceral standpoint. McQueen captures his scenes in jarring compositions, with all the skill and artistic imagining of a true artist. From the opening sequences, Hunger promises something more than just the standard. Whereas most political films focus all their attention on the message, Hunger focuses on the feeling, and never strays from its artistic goals. This is art, from its opening to closing frames. It's a boldly crafted and brave film. The cinematography and direction are assured, moving slowly and unexpectedly, always beautifully even in its darkest and dirtiest moments.

I believe this truly is a great masterpiece. McQueen has proved himself as a masterful artist of film-making as well with Hunger.