Steve McQueen’s Northern Irish shot film ‘Hunger’, which portrays IRA hunger striker Bobby Sands final days in the Maze prison, has won the inaugural $60,000 Sydney Film Prize at the Sydney Film Festival, taking place from 4th-22nd June 2008.
The film, which recently won the Camera d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival, stars German-born, Irish-raised actor Michael Fassbender (300, Hex) as Sands along with Irish actors Liam Cunningham (Anner House, Showbands), Stuart Graham (Small Engine Repair, Single Handed), Liam McMahon (Northanger Abbey) and Brian Milligan (The Boxer).
“’Hunger’ was selected for its controlled clarity of vision, its extraordinary detail and bravery, the dedication of its cast, and the power and resonance of its humanity," said Gillian Armstrong, Jury President at the festival.
The Irish – UK co-production, funded by Northern Ireland Screen, was one of 12 films competing for the prestigious prize, with other pics including Mike Leigh’s ‘Happy Go Lucky’, Martin McDonagh’s ‘In Bruges’ and Mexican director Carlos Reygadas’ ‘Silent Light’, which received a special commendation in the category along with Australian director Matthew Newton’s ‘Three Blind Mice’.
On the jury with Armstrong were US film critic Scott Foundas, Iranian filmmaker Majid Majidi, Hong Kong producer Nansun Shi and Australian actress Essie Davis.
The festival opened with Mike Leigh's ‘Happy-Go-Lucky’ on 4th June and will run until Sunday 22nd June.
More info on the Sydney Film Festival can be found at www.sydneyfilmfestival.org.
