Who is this Ken Loach???

Time and time again when I type British directors, or Glasgow film scene into google, this guys name constantly comes up. He seems to be linked to everything British but who is he. I can safely say that he is not a name that many people know, but do in fact we know him better than we realise?

He is the director of over 40 films, written 7, and produced 5. He studied at St Peter's College, Oxford and unlike many other directors, he has managed to avoid the Hollywood limelight. Well known in the theatre circles for his work there, his movies are world wide and well liked, though most people probably do not even know that he is the director. His first ever movie that he directed was Black Jack in 1979 followed swiftly by The Gamekeeper in 1980. His career blossomed, having him spill out films on average every year.

I guess your age and taste in film will influence what Ken Loach film you have seen, if any. One of his more popular films that continually pops up in searches is Sweet Sixteen, made in 2002. The story of a reckless teenager's quest to raise money and rescue his mum from her drug pushing boyfriend and even worse grandfather once she is released from prison, where she is serving time for a crime her boyfriend committed.

His most recent accomplishment is in-fact Route Irish released in 2010.  It is the story of a security contractor in Iraq who does not believe the official explanation of his friends death, and, like any good friend would, sets out to find the real reason his friend died. This of course would attract a whole other type of film lover than Sweet Sixteen would have. Mainly because of the gritty atmosphere, its story of loyalty, the setting or just the general idea of the plot. He covers a wide range of genres, while staying true to his british roots, not influenced by Hollywoods big bucks

He may not be a name that we recognise, but he is certainly one that we should take a look at more often. His films are widely enjoyed and even though he may not get the recognition he always deserves, he manages to stay true to the film and does and excellent job, no matter what the challenge is.