Coming up. This looks like a strong line-up.
Watched: Hunger
Observations:
- This is a hard film to watch, both emotionally and physically. There are parts of this that make your stomach churn.
- It’s interesting how Fassbender’s character is only introduced about half an hour in, and it’s a chaotic entrance - I only realised it was him after a couple of minutes on-screen. He disappears into this role. I can see why McQueen likes working with him.
- This was also (I’m ashamed to say) a bit of a history lesson. I knew the name Bobby Sands, and I knew that there had been hunger strikes at the height of the Troubles, but I didn’t know that Thatcher’s government was internationally condemned for the way it was handled and that nine men died before any requests were properly granted.
- All that said, it’s clever how this film tries to remain cool and objective. There were losses on both sides, and even though the central location is Maze Prison, it’s still conveyed pretty effectively.
- It makes sense given the trajectory of his career (McQueen’s next film stars Brad Pitt and Benedict Cumberbatch along with a host of other recognisable names), but Shame, while still sad, is definitely more accessible than this.
- You won’t be happy when the credits roll, but it’s an overwhelming film. The sort of sadness where you don’t cry. Fucking hell.