Film shows life, death of Irish hunger striker Bobby Sands

Friday, March 20, 2009

Back in 1981, in the United Kingdom, a group of men from the Irish Republican Army made headlines. They were imprisoned in a British jail in Belfast, Ireland. They said they were political prisoners. Margaret Thatcher said otherwise.The award-winning film "Hunger" tracks the last six weeks in the life of Irish hunger striker Bobby Sands. Sands starved himself to death at the age of 27, in a brutal Belfast prison called The Maze. His death raises questions about out notions of martyrdom and fanaticism. The Takeaway is joined by visual artist Steven McQueen, who directed the film.

Guests:

Steven McQueen

Hosted by:

Farai Chideya

Contributors:

Jim Colgan and Noel King

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