'The Duty of a film director is to focus more on the soul of the spectator.'
Ken Loach
Born Kenneth Charles Loach on June 17th, 1936, Loach is a British film director and screenwriter. His style of
directing is one that is socially critical, striving for realism as he would argue cinema doesn’t have to be about the star qualities, absurd narratives or glorified lifestyles, rather it could be in favour for focusing on ordinary, realistic people and the struggles they face which audiences could possibly relate to at some point in their lives.
He presents these ideas in his films with the treatment of social issues including:
1. Struggles of single parenting and raising a family (Ladybird Ladybird, 1994)
2. Poverty (Poor Cow, 1967)
3. Homelessness (Cathy Come Home, 1966)
Ken Loach is probably best known for his 1969 film Kes, which follows the story of a 15-year-old Yorkshire boy called Billy, an underperforming student who comes from a dysfunctional, working-class family, who finds fulfilment in life when he adopts a kestrel who he names Kes, proceeding to train and tame his new pet falcon. The film was a huge success in the UK, making a profit of the films £157,000 budget, eventually ranking no.7 on BFI’s top 100 best British Films.
The film contained Loach’s style of directing of showing people living more unstable lives and managed to earn initial success due to the performance of David Bradley as the lead role of Billy, but also for maintaining a sympathetic view of the working class, at a time where the education system was failing, and the lower class had limited options for work.
Ken Loach cuts: Tips on Editing from British Director Ken Loach - YouTube
1. Look at every aspect of a scene and analyse/ cut to the comprise truth of the performance.
2. Cut economy, try to tell the story with one shot and not two.
3. Cut linear (from start to end) to keep the rhythm of the scene. Everything depends on your first choice to maintain meaning with the previous shots.
4. Destroy old cuts and move on, people will demand to see what was rejected and it may spark debate.
5. Don't edit whilst filming is still in progress, you don't know what will be left out or what you don't want, don't ruin the pacing.
6. Don't cut digitally.
After a downfall in the 80's, Loach's Hidden Agenda was a huge success, resulting in his return as a major figure in British cinema. His next three films, Riff Raff (1991), Raining Stones (1993) and Ladybird Ladybird (1994) were made example of the Loach method to filmmaking by the BFI.
Have representation of socialism and unionism.
Cast first-time actors/actresses.
Maintain a sense of humour.
Shoot on location as much as you can, also when filming, use natural lighting and long lenses.