HUNGER (Sult) (1966) - ♦♦♦♦♦

Directed by - Henning Carlsen

Written by - Henning Carlsen, Peter Seeberg (based on a novel by Knut Hamsun)

Starring - Per Oscarsson

"Regarded as the first Danish film to gain international recognition since the works of CARL THEODOR DREYER and the first co-prodution effort between all three of the Scandinavian countries. 

HENNING CARLSEN's HUNGER is based on the novel KNUT HAMSUN by the same name. It follows the ordeal of a writer on the verge of salvation in his everyday struggles to survive while he waits for an editor to publish his work. As he treads upon grounds of human absurdity and his constant strains openly threaten his sanity, the only ray of light in his life takes for in the shape of a town woman whom he spots one day. 

The psychological intensity of the film recalls the works of DOSTOEVSKY, and is very much dictated by the character of the writer played masterfully by PER OSCARSSON, who carries a large protion of the whole film on his shoulders. The arduous task of portraying such a character not only required him to portray sharp mood shifts, but also a great level of physicality not only in his skin and bones appearance but also with his skeleton like movements that a time make him seem like something that is not quite human. 

Director HENNING CARLSEN retains a starkly realistic approach that along with the narrative structure of the film recalls neo-realism, but also enhances the dark territories upon which HUNGER dwells via maticulous camera work and a stylised use of light and shadows. 

On top of all this, this excellent film balances the portrayal of a man's miserable existance with that of a writer, or more generally the artist, whose obsession and passion for his art would have him die rather than give up on his ideals and artistic integrity. This in turn serves great purpose in a more generalistic viewpoint on the state of art in a world that is progressively less willing to spare culture any time at all."

Drama, Denmark/Norway/Sweden