Comments on: Updated Hunger Poster and Trailer

By: Marc Saint-Cyr

Marc Saint-Cyr — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 01:21:55 +0000

I’m very curious to see this one after having heard so much about it. I don’t want to build up my expectations so much that they take away the real value of the film, but I hope at least some of what people are saying is true.

By: Bob Turnbull

Bob Turnbull — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 01:03:20 +0000

I just caught up with Hunger a few days ago and I would tend to agree with Andrew’s comments a few back. The beginning was good, but not overly different from many similar films from a style point of view (though if you pause to think about those conditions…Geez…).

But the long 17 minute single take conversation is terrific. And it’s followed by another single 5 minute take of Sands monologuing about finding an injured animal that may be even better.

Then the remaining part of the film is virtually dialogue free and I thought a brilliant way of showing Sands wasting away. There’s no chatter about his ideology, no family members trying to talk him out of it, none of that – just the act of starving oneself to death.

By: Goon

Goon — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 20:44:55 +0000

I didn’t really care much for Hunger, positively or negatively. It was just there. I didn’t have any emotional attachment to Sands and wasn’t sure if I was supposed to be with him or not or just objectively watching. There’s something about McQueen’s directing that unlike Van Sant’s arty quiet style, is far more distancing. I think Van Sant’s are more naturally quiet, while in Hunger its like they went out of their way for silence.

The movie looks great which kept me from being too bored (though I think there’s some filler here and there). 2.5/5

By: ralph

ralph — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 11:16:23 +0000

i agree with, andrew. it is good, but i don’t think it is nearly as amazing as others are saying. i think it is far more impressive simply because it is a first effort.

By: Andrew James

Andrew James — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 05:25:21 +0000

Ok, so here’s the thing. The movie is good. Very good. I don’t think it is as amazing as everyone else though. All the brutality stuff in the prison is gripping, but I’ve seen that sort of stuff plenty of times in many other films and it just wasn’t particularly moving. Writing notes on tiny pieces of paper. Clever. Any prison movie has all of these sorts of elements.
**minor spoilers**
Where this film exceeds however is with the dialogue and the political struggle. The long take conversation over cigarettes at the table is possibly the best filmed scene of the year. Also the way in which death is shown after the hunger strike with the way the camera moves is completely original and fabulous. But so muchof the other stuff is old hat; hence, not in my top ten.

By: Marina Antunes

Marina Antunes — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 01:34:16 +0000

Agreed. Correct. Agreed.

I’m really curious to see what McQueen is planning next.

By: rot

rot — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 22:09:18 +0000

just checked out the trailer, even that is slick. Seems a lot of people are pricking up their ears at the sound of director Steve McQueen’s name now. As first films go, this is insanely good.

By: John Allison

John Allison — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 19:34:34 +0000

lol… that is too funny. It really was the press and also you mentioning it that got me interested in it and then Marina really liked it (if I remember correctly). Hopefully it will get a wide enough release to show up in Saskatoon.

By: rot

rot — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 19:26:23 +0000

funny you regret seeing it John because it was the ticket that you gave to me at TIFF that allowed me to catch Hunger.

all kinds of awesome, and that is a brilliant poster.