Hunger
2008 · Movie · NR · 96 min · ★ 7.2 · 86% critics
In 1981 Northern Ireland, prisoners try to win political status through protest after political changes leave them without that recognition. The film centers on the hunger strike that follows, showing the harsh prison conditions and the determination behind the campaign during The Troubles.
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Streaming on AMC+, Sundance Channel, SundanceNow Doc Club +3 more.
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Details
- Years
- 2008
- Release date
- 2008-05-15
- Language
- English
- Rated
- NR
- Runtime
- 96 min
- Critic score
- 86/100
- TMDB rating
- 7.2/10 (1,214 votes)
About
You’ll likely be drawn to the intense, uncomfortable drama and minimal-dialogue focus on prison life during The Troubles; Not for you if you want a gentler watch, lots of context, or less graphic violence, and it’s similar in tone to Bloody Sunday and The Magdalene Sisters.
Pros: intense performances; unflinching prison realism; gripping hunger strike | Cons: very graphic content; slow stretches; limited background
Themes
- prison
- police brutality
- prisoner
- hunger strike
- biography
- northern ireland
- ira (irish republican army)
- belfast, north ireland
- catholic priest
- 1980s
Awards & recognition
- Evening Standard British Film Awards · 2009
- Caméra d'Or · 2008
- European Film Award — European Discovery of the Year · 2008
- BAFTA Award — Best British Film · 2009 · nominated
- European Film Award — Best Director · 2008 · nominated
Show all 7 awards →
- European Film Award — Best Actor · 2008 · nominated
- European Film Award — European Discovery of the Year · 2008 · nominated
Cast & crew
Michael Fassbender
as Bobby Sands
Stuart Graham
as Ray Lohan
Liam Cunningham
as Priest
Helena Bereen
as Raymond's Mother
- LM
Laine Megaw
as Raymond's Wife
Brian Milligan
as Davey Gillen
Liam McMahon
as Gerry Campbell
Karen Hassan
as Gerry's Girlfriend
Frank McCusker
as The Governor
Lalor Roddy
as William
Directed by Steve McQueen