Kes
Ken Loach is one of the greatest British filmmakers of all time, enjoying a career that has spanned over fifty years.
He is back in the director's chair this week with his new film Jimmy's Hall: which has recently competed for the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival.
To celebrate his return we take a look at some of Loach's greatest films - and there really are plenty to choose from.
- Kes (1969)
Kes remains one of Loach's most famous and loved movies: it is widely regarded as one of the best British movies of all time.
Kes is based on the novel A Kestrel for a Knave by Barry Hines: who also had a hand in penning the screenplay.
The movie followed Billy, a young boy who spends much of his time rearing, caring, and training his pet falcon.
Loach has always been able to find the extraordinary in everyday lives, and that is well and truly on show in that film.
Kes is a beautiful, powerful, and heartbreaking film, and is as great a coming of age movie today as it was when it was first released. If you are coming to Loach's work for the first time, Kes is a terrific place to start.
- Riff-Raff (1991)
Loach tackled the drama/comedy in 1991 as he returned to the director's chair with Riff-Raff.
'Real life' was in the spotlight again, as Loach focused on the working class labourers on a North London building site.
Loach explored the living and working conditions of the poorer classes, focusing on the story of Stevie and his unemployed pop singer girlfriend.
Riff Raff really is a film that offers a frank and gritty look at the difficulties of life.
While the backdrop to the film is a little bleak, Loach has laced the film with wit and humour: you really can't help but get caught up in the story of Stevie.
Robert Carlyle gives a particularly great performance as Stevie, as he really brings Bill Jesse's terrific script to life.
Sweet Sixteen went on to win the European Award for Best Picture in 1991.
- Sweet Sixteen (2002)
Loach teamed up with scriptwriter Paul Laverty for the fourth time in 2002 with Sweet Sixteen.
The movie follows teenager Liam, who sets out to buy a home for himself and his mum when she gets out of prison.
However, his desire to get the money he needs together, he ends up heading towards a life of crime that he was trying to avoid.
This is a movie that is tough to watch, but it is a must see coming of age movie: Martin Compston is stunning in the central role.
Sweet Sixteen is another raw and real film from Loach, which is incredibly powerful and beautifully crafted.
- The Wind That Shakes the Barley (2006)
Another Loach/Laverty collaboration hit the big screen in 2006, in the form of The Wind That Shakes the Barley.
The movie followed two brothers who were on opposite sides in the battle for Irish freedom in 1920.
This is my favourite Ken Loach movie, as it really is a filmmaking masterclass from start to finish.
This is a gripping political and personal drama that is as painful as powerful to watch.
It really is quite a harrowing and brutal movie: that is really driven home by stunning performances from the likes of Cillian Murphy, Liam Cunningham, and Padaric Delaney.
The movie went on to win the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival, and is the highest grossing Irish made independent film of all time.
- Looking For Eric (2009)
Another Loach film that lit up the big screen in recent years came in the form of the heart-warming Looking For Eric.
Written by Laverty, the movie follows Eric, a football fanatic postman whose life is descending into crisis, receives some life coaching from the famously philosophical Eric Cantona.
Looking For Eric is a movie that is just packed with charm, as Loach mixes elements of drama and comedy to great effect.
This is another film that has a major slice of hardship and heartbreak, as Loach helps bring to life some intriguing characters.
Looking For Eric competed for the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival, and while it didn't win, it did win over critics and audiences.
- The Angels' Share (2012)
The Angels' Share was the last feature film that we saw Loach direct back in 2012.
The comedy/crime/drama brought together a great cast that included Paul Brannigan, John Henshaw, and Roger Allam, and follows a new dad who vows to turn over a new leaf after narrowly avoiding jail.
This tale of a criminal trying to make a new life for himself is incredibly warm and heartfelt: you really can't help but hope that Robbie succeeds in turning his life around.
While Loach does give us the slice of real life that we have come to expect, this is very much a lighter side to this director.
Once again, Loach was in the mix for the Palme d'Or, but came away with the Jury Prize.
Jimmy's Hall is released 30th May.
Tagged in Ken Loach