The film 'Hen' is a powerful commentary on the human condition, told through the eyes of a chicken. It's a unique perspective that allows us to see the world through the lens of an innocent, powerless creature, offering a fresh and thought-provoking take on modern-day Greek tragedy. This article explores the film's themes, its impact, and the personal journey of its director, György Pálfi.
A Chicken's Eye View
What makes 'Hen' so compelling is its ability to change our perspective. By following the chicken's journey, we become complicit in her world, experiencing the brutal realities of factory farming and the harshness of human behavior. This is achieved through a deliberate narrative technique: the film begins by simply following the chicken's birth and escape, allowing the audience to immerse themselves in her world.
"If you can go with the chicken after the first 15 or 20 minutes," says Pálfi, "then somehow you become the chicken, and people become a higher level, like the gods of ancient Greek mythology. It’s very interesting. That was the most important thing – to change the perspective."
The chicken, named Hen, is an eyewitness to the foibles of human behavior. Her beady gaze, though seemingly innocent, casts a moral judgment on the characters around her. This is a powerful device, as it allows the audience to reflect on their own actions and the consequences of their decisions.
A Human Story
The human story in 'Hen' is a tragic one. Giorgos, an aging restaurateur, is drawn into a brutal world of people-smuggling. His small business is shuttered, and his family is struggling. The film reveals the quiet desperation of those living on the margins, and the harsh realities of life under oppressive regimes.
"When we find this very small chicken meets with a huge social problem, then it can be a good movie," says Pálfi. "The human story is a tragedy, and the chicken is a witness to that tragedy."
A Triumph of Creativity Over Oppression
The film's creation is a testament to the triumph of creativity over oppression. Pálfi and his team had to overcome significant challenges, including a lack of financial support for independent film-making in Hungary. They found a solution by heading to Greece, where they could film and find funding. The result is a powerful commentary on the human condition, told through the eyes of a chicken.
A Comment on Our Times
'Hen' offers a powerful commentary on our times. It highlights the brutal populist regimes that have emerged in recent years, and the consequences of giving away our rights to a mafia. It raises questions about the possibility of getting those rights back, and the moral decisions we make in the face of adversity.
"When we considered the difference between animals and humans, we concluded that humans have the possibility to make moral decisions," says Pálfi. "But when someone makes this moral decision, according to the Greek tragedies, it’s too late. Although Giorgos gave his life to a mafia, he can take it back – but he will get his punishment."
A New Direction for Pálfi
Pálfi's journey with 'Hen' has led him to a new direction in his career. He is now living in Budapest, and hopes to write a trilogy of animal films. His next project will be a monkey living in an Indian city, and he also has a Hungarian outlaw story in the works.
"Not a western, but an eastern," he says. "I’m surprised when this career-long movie maverick says he would love to make a mainstream film, although he still has an eye on that elusive balance between ‘the mainstream and the outer movie, which is the best kind of movie ever, you know – Kubrick movies, good Ridley Scott movies like Blade Runner. Artistic and mainstream."
Pálfi's work with 'Hen' has been a powerful commentary on the human condition, and a testament to the triumph of creativity over oppression. It is a film that will leave a lasting impression on audiences, and a director who is ready to take on new challenges.
