British filmmaker Ken Loach’s retrospective at Film Forum offers a glimpse into the audacious career of a director who has consistently championed the underdog and shed light on uncomfortable social issues. From his early television plays in the 1960s to his more recent films, Loach has tackled topics like homelessness, labor rights, and worker exploitation with unrelenting focus and a belief in the power of community.
Despite sometimes being misunderstood or underappreciated by American audiences, Loach’s films have evolved over time to become more artful and cinematic while retaining their social relevance and political edge. His ability to inject tough-minded humor into even the most tragic stories has helped broaden his audience and prevent his films from being dismissed as miserabilism.
Two of Loach’s most wrenching dramas, “I, Daniel Blake” and “My Name Is Joe,” showcase his ability to blend harrowing storytelling with moments of defiant ebullience. These films, along with others in his extensive filmography, offer a glimpse into the lives of ordinary people facing extraordinary challenges with resilience and determination.
Loach’s films form a cinema of working-class superheroes, portraying characters who aspire to sufficiency rather than luxury. Their modest ambitions and pragmatic approach to life may mystify viewers accustomed to Hollywood’s narrative excesses, but there is a touchingly noble quality in their resilience and determination to persevere despite the odds.
As Loach’s career comes to a close with his latest film, “The Old Oak,” his legacy as a filmmaker who has fearlessly tackled social issues and given a voice to the marginalized will continue to resonate with audiences around the world.
