Ken Loach films

Anyone else here a Loach fan?
I've recently seen two of his movies and thought they were both quite good: kind of an ultra-realist style that fits his political ambitions well.

Years ago, back in college, my "Irish Club," went to a screening of Hidden Agenda at some Boston Hibernian Society, and I think Loach may have been at the event. I had no idea who made the film at the time, of course...I was going for the free Guinness. '

Anyway, I've just seen "Bread and Roses" and "Carla's Song," and definitely recommend them to people who like independent films. Even if you don't like his politics, I would imagine his feel for dialogue and naturalness would please in any case. The romance at the heart of "Carla's Song," for instance has such a lived in and honest feel that it could perhaps stand up even if you could care less about the Nicaraguan political turmoil as the backdrop. Of course, I AM sympathetic to Loach's politics, so could be wrong about that.

Anyway, I'm going to look for a copy of "Land and Freedom," which won both a Cesar and Euro Film Award for Best Film back in '95. Supposed to be a great account of the Spanish Civil War; some say it strongly resembles Orwell's "Homage to Catalonia."

 

Which ones have you seen?
I vaguely remember "mostly" enjoying "Hidden Agenda"; the other two I've seen just recently and think they are fine for what they are. A bit heavy handed perhaps...he does tend to throw everything at you. IMO, this was more conspicuous in "B&R" than in "Carla's Song." The only time I felt it in "Carla's Song" was when the village gets attacked the very first night they arrive, and the guy who he traded jerseys with gets shot.

Anyway, speaking of lefty neo-realist directors, Tex, have you seen Pontecorvo's stuff other than "Battle of Algiers?" I watched an excellent documentary (narrated by Edward Said) about Pontecorvo the other day, called "Dictatorship of Truth" or something like that. Pretty fascinating guy: very open about his artistic impotence as the reason why he hasn't worked in so long. Said seems alternately saddened/frustrated by this.

 

Thanks for the interview link, Ray.
Sayles clumsy, huh? Early stuff, perhaps--I must be the only person in my county who owns a DVD copy of "The Brother From Another Planet," and that is certainly clumsy. But I'd say his more recent stuff, from say "Matewan" up to now, has been highly polished and nuanced.