Cinema
Hunger
Sult
Henning Carlsen · 1966
Synopsis
In 1890, in Kristiania, present-day Oslo, Pontus, a penniless young writer, wanders the streets and writes on park benches. He takes his belongings to the pawnbroker and gives a beggar the money from his waistcoat; an editor accepts one of his articles, but he is too proud to take the advance he is offered. Turned out of his room for unpaid rent, he secretly gnaws a bone begged for a dog he does not have. Hunger blurs dream and reality, and his reveries revolve around a woman of good society passed in the street, whom he calls Ylajali.
Context
The film adapts the novel that Knut Hamsun published in 1890. Written with Peter Seeberg, shot in black and white in the streets of Oslo to a score by Krzysztof Komeda, it is the first co-production between the three Scandinavian countries, and Danish, Swedish and Norwegian are spoken in it. The lead role is given to the Swede Per Oscarsson. It brought its director his international breakthrough.
Who it is for
Nearly two hours, without colour; each character speaks his own Scandinavian language. Almost without action: we follow a man who is hungry, and the image matches his hallucinations.
Prizes and reception
Best Actor award at Cannes in 1966 for Per Oscarsson; Bodil for best Danish film in 1967; added in 2006 to the Danish cultural canon.
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