Nälkä

This film shows the relationship (but hopefully not only) of Europe, specifically Scandinavia, towards the priorities of human life and dignity. In the 1960s, during the peak of the European welfare state, a faithful film about the horrors of a time when individuals had to choose between survival or dignity was created as a reminder of a not-so-distant past. Either you bend down and humbly beg for mercy or literally die among other people from hunger (or the beauty of liberal individualism). However, the film is definitely not just a simple depiction of these historical facts but also has a strongly subjective component in the main character. Is the lack of protein in his brain caused by the lack of protein in his food, therefore causing his sometimes bizarre behavior? Or is it a seed of mental illness? Personally, in the context of the film, I lean towards the first option (I haven't read the book, so I don't know if it is clearly explained there), but regardless, the viewer's attention is constantly kept due to this uncertainty. (10.05.2014)