In the innovative film “Hen,” Hungarian auteur György Pálfi presents a compelling tale of survival through the eyes of a chicken. The familiar joke “Why did the chicken cross the road?” takes on new weight as our feathered protagonist makes a daring escape from a menacing fox chasing her across a bustling highway. This gripping premise sets the tone for a unique cinematic experience that relies on real animals rather than the trickery of CGI. With eight live chickens performing the lead role, “Hen” pushes the boundaries of animal-centered storytelling while keeping viewers riveted to the screen as they root for this tiny yet resourceful bird navigating a perilous journey.
Survival in a Hostile World
“Hen” may be a project that seems eccentric at first glance, but in the hands of Pálfi—known for his audacious films such as the body horror flick “Taxidermia” and the mixed-media adaptation “His Master’s Voice”—it unfolds into one of his most narratively straightforward endeavors. The film follows a grandly linear hero’s journey, pivoting on the life of a vibrantly feathered chicken. Her antagonists range from wild predators to human traffickers, highlighting a world’s struggle that intertwines every form of life, from fowl to human, in a relentless ecosystem of survival.
The Unnamed Protagonist
Throughout the film, the hen remains nameless and voiceless, yet the birds portraying her receive due credit in the closing credits as Eszti, Szandi, Feri, Enci, Eti, Enikő, Nóra, and Anett. Pálfi avoids anthropomorphism, opting instead for a documentary-style realism that immerses the audience in the harsh realities of the chicken’s life. Similar films, such as Jerzy Skolimowski’s “EO” and Robert Bresson’s “Au Hasard Balthasar”, serve as reference points, but “Hen” distinguishes itself through its absence of overtly stylistic embellishments.
A Journey of Escape
The narrative opens in a cramped industrial farm in rural Greece, marked by a startlingly graphic egg-laying scene. Our newly hatched protagonist quickly learns the brutalities of commercial poultry farming and, driven by an instinctual desire for a better destiny, she seizes her chance to escape. The film captures her thrilling, perilous odyssey, culminating in her arrival at a coastal smallholding, where her fate continues to unfold under the care of a family running a shabby café alongside illicit activities.
The Cycle of Exploitation
Within her new environment, the hen finds herself confined in a chicken coop, tasked with laying eggs—a fate only marginally less grim than her previous life. Although Pálfi injects humor through whimsical musical cues, the film does not shy away from addressing the more traumatic elements of her existence, including ongoing exploitation and the theft of her eggs. The cycle of suffering reflects a broader commentary on human and animal rights abuses.
Finding Freedom
Driven by a relentless spirit and unknowable yearning for freedom, the hen escapes repeatedly throughout the film. In a particularly ironic twist, one significant opportunity for liberation arises from the very human trafficking operations her owners engage in. While “Hen” maintains a sly sense of humor, it simultaneously critiques the interconnectedness of human and animal suffering, painting a sobering picture of a world increasingly off course.
Technical Mastery and Emotional Impact
Pálfi’s deft control of tone enhances the film’s emotional weight, as the technical contributions work cohesively to preserve the chicken’s perspective. The sound design intricately immerses us in her world, while Giorgos Karvelas’ dynamic cinematography beautifully tracks her movements and spontaneous acts of defiance. Editor Lehmhényi Réka masterfully stitches together performances from multiple birds to create a singular, resonant character, inviting viewers to invest emotionally in her plight. “Hen” represents a daring cinematic achievement that eloquently captures the essence of resilience in a disconcertingly challenging world.
