Hunger

guinnessdrinker

A little late but a new film based on the 1981 hunger strike by British director Steve Mcqueen entitled "Hunger" has won the Camera d'Or award at the Cannes Film Festival. Link

This is the third year running that an Irish film has been well received at the Cannes Film Festival following Garage last year and The Wind That Shakes The Barley the year before. Great news for the film business in Ireland.

The film itself could prove controversial on release though due to the subject of the hunger strike and it's depiction of Bobby Sands. The Irish actor Michael Fassbender, who portrays Sands went on a medically controlled crash diet to play the role. Link

It's due for an autum release but don't know how wide of a release it will be yet. I'm looking forward to it though.

Nolanger

That movie is about as Irish as a made-in-China plastic leprechaun.
Funded by the London-based Blast! Films and Channel 4 it's directed by a British (and black) man.
Hunger is not even listed on the Irish Film Board website.
Really scraping the barrell with these acclaimed "Irish movies".

guinnessdrinker

Ok not everything to do with the making of the film was Irish but come on! The film received funding from the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland and the Northern Ireland Film Board, was co written by Irish playwright, Enda Walsh, was filmed in Belfast and features Irish actors. Clearly the Minister of Arts, Martin Cullen considers it an Irish film also.

Nolanger

And so no-doubt will the IFTA at their awards ceremony next year.
If you want to see an Irish troubles prison movie then watch H3 or Silent Grace.