This film screened 23rd February 2016.

Award-winning artist Steve McQueen brought an unflinching gaze to the Maze Prison Hunger Strike of 1981. Central to the film is a gripping single shot dialogue between Bobby Sands (Michael Fassbender) and a visiting priest (Liam Cunningham) in which Sands’ motives are discussed.

Dr. Roddy Flynn will examine how Hunger imagines the state, an ideal of which Sands presents as achievable through violence. His presentation will include a brief overview of Irish cinema, and consider the relative absence of films overtly arguing for another type of state.

This event is taking place as part of the IFI Evening Course: Altered State  (Tuesdays, Feb 23rd – Mar 29th). Full course price: €70 (€65 concessions), including tea/coffee. Please book your place by calling Sharon Corrigan on 01 679 5744 or emailing scorrigan@irishfilm.ie (individual tickets for films on this course are not available.)