Hunger wins Xplore Award 2008
15 Oct 2008
Hunger, the poignant debute of brittish artist Steve McQueen wins the Xplore Award of the 35th Ghent International Film Festival. The young XploreZone jury give a special mention to Worlds Apart by danish director Niels Arden Oplev.
McQueen tells the story of Bobby Sands, the most famous prisoner of Maze Prison, who leads a Hunger Strike to protest for special category status for republican prisoners. Winner of the Caméra d'Or at the 2008 Cannes Film Festival, Hunger is an urgent reminder of this unique tragic period in Irish history.
The jury on Hunger:
Hunger is a dark, intense and revolting pearl comparable with the better work of helmer Werner Herzog. With the human body as battlefield, the film evoques a moral debate: the fine line between respect for conviction and respect for life. Hunger does not leave you unmoved!
The jury on Worlds Apart:
The story is powerfully told and the acting is excellent. A more than descent and persistent standard piece of art.
The film distributor receives a media campaign worth 20.000 euro on the national radio channel Studio Brussel and in the newspaper De Morgen. The XploreZone jury gave the price this Thursday 16/10, before the screening of the XploreZone closing film Die Welle.