György Pálfi’s “Hen”: A Chick’s Journey Through Human and Animal Suffering

At the 2025 San Sebastián Film Festival, Hungarian director György Pálfi unveiled *Hen*, a provocative and poignant exploration of existence through the eyes of a black Leghorn hen. The film, which premiered as part of the festival’s official selection, continues Pálfi’s tradition of challenging cinematic norms, following acclaimed works like *Taxidermia* (2006) and *Final Cut* (2013). With its unconventional narrative and ethical provocations, *Hen* has sparked conversations about speciesism, social inequality, and the blurred lines between human and animal experience.

A Unique Perspective: The Hen’s Odyssey

The film follows a black Leghorn hen, a breed native to Livorno, Italy, who narrowly escapes a commercial poultry operation. Stripped of her typical yellow chicks, she embarks on a cross-country journey through Greece, evading predators—both human and animal—while navigating a world that views her as a commodity. Pálfi’s decision to frame the story entirely through the hen’s perspective is a bold artistic choice, aiming to “eliminate the human-centered view” and “examine humanity through the lens of an animal.”

“The change in perspective was the main engine of the film,” Pálfi explained. “While we aimed to remove the human-centric viewpoint, we ultimately still examined human behavior through the story of a chicken. The foundations of this story are layered: Chicken – Human – Social Issue.”

Themes of Survival, Exploitation, and Social Critique

Hen’s journey mirrors the struggles of marginalized groups, with Pálfi drawing parallels between the hen’s plight and human issues like migration and human trafficking. “They, of course, and the people who marginalize them,” the director said. “I am interested in the complete picture. But as an artist and a sensitive human, I am first and foremost on the side of the suffering and oppressed.”

The film’s climax sees the hen find temporary refuge in a dilapidated restaurant, only to become entangled in the owner’s illicit activities. This narrative thread underscores Pálfi’s critique of systemic exploitation, whether of animals or humans. “We are a fundamental threat to each other and the planet,” Pálfi asserted. “As long as we continue to threaten each other, we remain a danger.”

Cinematic Innovation and Animal Welfare

Shot in a subjective, first-person style, *Hen* avoids traditional CGI or AI, relying instead on practical effects and the natural behavior of the eight hens cast in the lead role. Pálfi emphasized the animals’ well-being during production: “The animals had the best life on set. Arpád Halász, our animal coordinator, ensured a safe environment and showed them that humans are friends, not enemies.”

The director also addressed accusations of speciesism, stating, “I would never deny a viewer the freedom to interpret the film through that lens. But for my creative approach, activism is the last thing on my mind. I am driven by curiosity to understand life and explore these ideas through aesthetic forms.”

Reception and Legacy

Critics have praised *Hen* for its originality and emotional resonance. The *San Sebastián Film Festival* review noted, “the quality that makes *Hen* so endearing is that it is entirely sincere.” The film joins a lineage of animal-centric works, including Robert Bresson’s *Au hasard Balthazar* and Jerzy Skolimowski’s *EO*, but Pálfi’s approach distinguishes itself through its unflinching focus on social critique.

As discussions around animal rights and environmental ethics continue to evolve, *Hen* stands as a provocative reminder of the interconnectedness of all living beings. “We have no other choice but to change,” Pálfi concluded. “The more awareness we have, the better our relationship with the living world can become.”