A chicken takes centre stage in a new film from a Hungarian auteur.
There is an old adage in film-making, never work with children or animals. And yet some of our most memorable films from childhood is when you combine the two – Kes (1969) and Free Willy (1993) – jump to mind.
Hen is a film by Hungarian director, Gyorgy Palfi who came to prominence with Taxidermia (2006), his work blends both fiction and documentary in experimental forms. This is no different as we follow a chicken from birth, escapes an industrial farm becoming embroiled in the human behaviour and the migration crisis in Greece (where the film was funded and produced).
The two words of animal and human clash and eventually have to co-exist; witnessing each other in their day to day lives.
In the 21st century, however, there have been numerous films which have followed animals as protagonists to make films about our intrepid two or four legged friends as they traverse various obstacles of ever-changing landscapes.
Following in the tiny footsteps of Andrea Arnold’s Cow (2021) and Jerzy Skolimowski’s EO (2022); Hen sees the chicken wandering, the camera at the same level as the chicken; humans top halves of their bodies are cut off like the woman from Tom and Jerry cartoons. The chicken walks through a market, he sees eggs for sale and he wanders.
Like both the other films, the chicken wanders and finds itself in marches – constructs created for the situation so Palfi continues this marriage of fiction and fact again. Yet, what this film has going for it is a sprightly following of the chicken, there is a lightness as he bounces from scene to scene in the film.
The landscape of Greece looks gorgeous, there is a real warmth coming off the screen always. Part western, part road movie – this is a film that will generate emotion in those who view it. An objective look at the world through an animal’s eyes.
Enriching and enlightening, in terms of animal led films this one may well be at the top of the pecking order
Hen is released by Conic Film on Friday 22nd May.
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