Hunger (2008)

This sat in a drawer in its Netflix sleeve for 5 weeks, but I had a hard time getting myself in the "mood" for political prisoners wasting away in protest. Now that I've seen it, I'm not quite sure why they went with the title "Hunger" when a more accurate title would've been "Filth" or "Degradation."

The first hour or so shows imprisoned IRA members living their choice of a "blanket and no wash" protest (refusing prison clothes and cleanliness). It was truly revolting and, to be frank, confusing. Why treat yourself like an animal while demanding to be treated as a human? I mean, I get that options for rebellion are limited behind bars, but it just seemed like it'd be that much easier to dismiss them as "not normal," and therefore to dismiss their demands. It was a very tough sit, for sure.

The hunger strike portion of the story only took place over the last 20 minutes or so, but it was also quite hard to watch. I don't even know where my sympathies lie...with me for having to watch it, I guess.

C-