Ken Loach

Ken Loach (born June 17, 1936) is a British television and film director, known for his social realist style and socialist themes.

Biography

Born Kenneth Loach in Nuneaton, England, he studied law at St Peter's College, Oxford. He started out as an actor in repertory theatre, but in the early 1960s moved into producing television docu-dramas, notably the socially influential Cathy Come Home (1966). In the late 1960s he moved into directing films, and made Kes, the story of a troubled boy and his kestrel, based on the novel A Kestrel for a Knave by Barry Hines. It remains perhaps his best known film in Britain.

Related Topics:
Nuneaton - England - St Peter's College - Oxford - Repertory theatre - 1960s - Cathy Come Home - 1966 - Kes - Kestrel - Barry Hines

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The 1970s and 80s were less successful, with his films suffering from poor distribution, lack of interest and political censorship. His film The Save the Children Fund Film (1971) was commissioned by the charity, who disliked it so much they attempted to have the negative destroyed. It has yet to be shown in public. He was also commissioned by Channel 4 to make A Question of Leadership, a documentary on the UK miners' strike. However, the program was withheld by Channel 4 for political reasons.

Related Topics:
1970s - 80s - 1971 - The charity - Channel 4 - UK miners' strike

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However, the 1990s saw Loach return to form, with the production of a series of critically acclaimed and popular films. During this period he was also three times awarded prizes at the Cannes Film Festival.

Related Topics:
1990s - Cannes Film Festival

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In December 2003, he was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Birmingham.

Related Topics:
2003 - University of Birmingham

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In November 2004, he was elected to the national council of the Respect coalition.

Related Topics:
2004 - Respect

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