25 Films Directed by Ken Loach
25 titles
- 1
Sorry We Missed YouMovie · 2019 · 101m · DramaSince the 2008 financial crisis, Ricky and his family have struggled with debt. A chance for more independence arrives with a new van and a franchise opportunity as a delivery driver. The work is demanding, as is Ricky's wife's job caring for others. Though the family is close, their competing demands threaten to unravel everything.IMDb 7.6TMDB 7.3 - 2
My Name is JoeMovie · 1998 · 105m · DramaIn a tough part of Glasgow, two people form a close bond as they deal with life's difficulties and their own personal struggles. Joe, a man in his thirties who has battled alcoholism and joblessness, finds unexpected comfort and connection with Sarah, a community health worker. They explore love, trust, and overcoming hardship against the backdrop of their city. This moving story examines redemption and hope as it follows their relationship through good times and bad, amidst the challenges they both face.IMDb 7.4TMDB 7.2 - 3
The Angels' ShareMovie · 2012 · 101m · Drama, ComedyTo avoid going to jail, a new father named Robbie decides to change his life. A trip to a whisky distillery sparks an idea with his friends, and they begin to look for a way to escape their difficult circumstances.IMDb 7.0TMDB 6.9 - 4
KesMovie · 1970 · 111m · DramaIn the bleak Yorkshire countryside, lonely young Billy Casper struggles with a difficult home life and bullying at school. He finds comfort in nature when he discovers an injured kestrel falcon. Caring for the bird, he trains her to hunt and forms a strong bond. This newfound passion unexpectedly earns him support from his teacher and peers, giving him a sense of purpose. But life's challenges persist, and tragedy threatens to overwhelm Billy and his falcon.IMDb 7.9TMDB 7.4 - 5
I, Daniel BlakeMovie · 2016 · 100m · DramaA middle-aged carpenter, now reliant on government assistance following a work injury, finds his life intersecting with a single mother facing similar circumstances.IMDb 7.8TMDB 7.7 - 6
Looking for EricMovie · 2009 · 116m · Drama, ComedyA man seeking to rebuild his life receives guidance from an unlikely source: former football star Eric Cantona.IMDb 7.1TMDB 6.5 - 7
Ae Fond Kiss...Movie · 2004 · 104m · Drama, RomanceA young man causes conflict within his Punjabi family when he develops feelings for an Irish schoolteacher.IMDb 7.1TMDB 6.4 - 8
Raining StonesMovie · 1993 · 90m · Drama, CrimeIn a modest neighborhood, Bob, a loving father, desperately wants to give his daughter a beautiful dress for her First Communion. Facing financial hardship, his strong sense of pride drives him to find a way to afford this special garment. As Bob becomes more determined, he starts taking risky actions to raise money. This desperate search threatens his family and his own well-being as he becomes consumed by his ambition. The film explores the tension between what society expects and what a parent believes is right, showing how far some parents will go to create a memorable moment for their children and the repercussions of those choices.IMDb 7.3TMDB 6.9 - 9
The Wind That Shakes the BarleyMovie · 2006 · 127m · Drama, WarIn 1920s Ireland, Dr. Damien O'Donovan is about to start a new job in London. While saying goodbye to a friend on a farm, British Black and Tans arrive, and a young man is killed. Damien then joins his brother Teddy in the Irish Republican Army, but escalating political events begin to drive the brothers apart.IMDb 7.5TMDB 7.3 - 10
Carla's SongMovie · 1996 · 125m · War, Drama, RomanceDramarama was a British children's drama anthology series that aired on ITV from 1983 to 1989. Created by Anna Home, it offered a variety of stories, often with science fiction and supernatural elements, and helped launch the careers of many prominent writers and actors, including Anthony Horowitz, Paul Abbott, and David Tennant. Several episodes were particularly successful, inspiring spin-off series. For example, "Dodger, Bonzo And The Rest" became a series about life in a foster home, and "Blackbird Singing In The Dead of Night" was adapted into the TV series Children's Ward. Dramarama's influence was celebrated during a CITV anniversary event, highlighting its lasting impact on children's television and its role in launching the careers of today's leading figures in the industry.IMDb 6.8TMDB 6.7 - 11
Sweet SixteenMovie · 2002 · 106m · Crime, DramaA Scottish teenager from a difficult background wants a typical family life when his mother is released from prison. He works to save enough money to buy a home.IMDb 7.4TMDB 7.0 - 12
Land and FreedomMovie · 1995 · 109m · War, Drama, HistoryIn 1936, unemployed British Communist David Carr feels a growing urgency to act as the Spanish Civil War erupts. He joins the Popular Front of Catalonia (POUM) militia, a diverse group of liberals, communists, and anarchists fighting against Franco's Nationalists. During his experiences, Carr begins to realize a disturbing truth: Stalin's allies in Spain are secretly sabotaging the revolution they claim to champion, acting under orders from Moscow. Forced to confront this profound betrayal, Carr navigates a complicated landscape of shifting political loyalties and hidden agendas.IMDb 7.5TMDB 7.3 - 13
Looks and SmilesMovie · 1981 · 104mAgainst the backdrop of Thatcher's Britain and the Northern Ireland conflict, this film follows Mick, a young man in Sheffield with no aspirations. He lives at home, maintains his motorcycle, searches for work, and relies on unemployment benefits. Opportunities are scarce. His friend Alan enlists in the army, destined for Belfast to address the unrest. At a disco, Mick meets Karen, a shoe shop worker living with her mother after their recent split. Karen longs for her father and offers Mick emotional support and a path to maturity, while Alan promotes the military. Will Mick find a future for himself?IMDb 6.9TMDB 6.7 - 14
Poor CowMovie · 1967 · 101m · DramaThe film centers on a young woman struggling through a difficult life marked by mistakes and troubled relationships. She enters a damaging marriage with a thief, who is quickly jailed, leaving her to raise their child alone. Seeking stability and happiness, she seeks out the thief's associate, but finds only more pain as he also faces imprisonment. Her life worsens as she becomes entangled with a series of questionable people, offering only temporary relief and deepening her despair. The story portrays the harsh realities faced by those on the fringes of society and the impact of their decisions.IMDb 6.8TMDB 6.3 - 15
Jimmy's HallMovie · 2014 · 106m · History, DramaJimmy Gralton comes back from New York and reopens the community hall he cares about. However, he faces resistance from the local church.IMDb 6.7TMDB 6.7 - 16
FatherlandMovie · 1986 · 111mKlaus Drittemann, a controversial protest singer in East Berlin, flees to West Berlin, leaving his family behind. American record executives are eager to capitalize on his escape from communism, intending to use his defection for both political and financial gain. Uncomfortable in the West as he was in the East, Klaus resists being exploited. He leaves his contract unsigned and travels to Cambridge to find his father, a musician who emigrated decades earlier. He's joined by Emma, a young French journalist who claims to know his father's whereabouts after he vanished over ten years ago. While helpful, Emma may not be revealing everything.IMDb 6.2TMDB 6.1 - 17
Family LifeMovie · 1971 · 108m · DramaJanice is a vibrant young woman stifled by her parents' strict rules. They see her desire for independence as disobedience, a rejection of their carefully planned future for her. The film explores individuality, family expectations, and societal pressures through Janice’s personal journey to find her own way. She struggles to balance her need for freedom with her complicated family relationships, facing both external obstacles and internal doubts. Ultimately, it's a moving story about discovering who she is and learning to accept herself.IMDb 7.5TMDB 7.2 - 18
The NavigatorsMovie · 2001 · 96m · DramaIn South Yorkshire, a close-knit team of railway workers faces uncertain futures when their national railway is privatized. The familiar British Rail logo is replaced with a new identity, signaling a shift towards cost-cutting and efficiency. As the company downsizes, the men realize that some will benefit while others will be left behind.IMDb 7.0TMDB 6.9 - 19
Riff-RaffMovie · 1991 · 95m · Comedy, DramaStevie starts a new life in London after prison, taking a job on a dangerous construction site where the workers use fake names to avoid immigration issues and keep their unemployment benefits. He finds temporary housing in a crowded council estate, where squatting is common. There, he meets Susan, an Irish woman hoping to become a singer. Their shared struggles create an unexpected bond as they navigate love, ambition, and survival, facing their pasts and pursuing their dreams in a raw, urban setting.IMDb 7.0TMDB 6.7 - 20
It's a Free World...Movie · 2007 · 96m · DramaAngie, a working-class woman, loses her job and decides to start her own recruitment agency with her friend Rose, operating out of her kitchen. Capitalizing on the vulnerability of immigrants seeking work, Angie rapidly builds a thriving business.IMDb 7.0TMDB 6.6 - 21
Route IrishMovie · 2011 · 109m · DramaIn Iraq, a private security contractor doubts the official story surrounding his friend's death and takes it upon himself to uncover the truth.IMDb 6.4TMDB 6.0 - 22
Bread and RosesMovie · 2000 · 110m · Comedy, DramaMaya, a resourceful young woman, crosses the Mexican border and finds her way to Los Angeles to her sister Rosa. Rosa secures Maya a job as a janitor with a non-union service known for its unpredictable supervisor. The union assigns organizer Sam Shapiro to the building to launch a campaign for better treatment. Sam connects with Maya, and she is drawn to him. Rosa is hesitant, burdened by her husband's health. As the workers seek public support, management employs intimidation tactics. Conflict between Rosa, Maya, the workers, and management appears inevitable.IMDb 7.0TMDB 6.3 - 23
Ladybird LadybirdMovie · 1994 · 101m · DramaMaggie, a woman with a difficult past, finds a chance at happiness when she meets Jorge, a compassionate Latin American refugee. After losing her four children to social services due to an abusive relationship, she sees hope for a brighter future with him. But her past continues to affect her, bringing back painful memories and consequences. This moving film explores love, forgiveness, and finding oneself as Maggie confronts her demons and considers a new start.IMDb 7.4TMDB 7.2 - 24
Hidden AgendaMovie · 1990 · 108m · Drama, ThrillerIn Ireland, American lawyer Ingrid Jessner joins forces with activist Paul Sullivan to investigate British government atrocities against Northern Irish civilians during the Troubles. They work tirelessly to uncover the truth, but their efforts are tragically cut short when Sullivan is murdered. Undeterred, Ingrid teams up with Peter Kerrigan, a British investigator secretly working against his government. Together, they pursue a dangerous path to expose a conspiracy that may involve one of Kerrigan's colleagues, revealing shocking secrets and challenging loyalties in a story about justice, courage, and the fight for truth.IMDb 6.9TMDB 7.0 - 25
Black JackMovie · 1979 · 105m · Adventure, HistoryTolly, a naive and good-natured young man, finds himself unexpectedly partnered with 'Black Jack', a notorious criminal with a love for trouble. They are forced to flee together, beginning a journey full of unpredictable adventures and mishaps. Navigating a strange world of body-snatchers, shadowy asylums, and lively traveling fairs, Tolly and 'Black Jack' develop an unlikely friendship.
The film explores the strength of bonds formed in difficult circumstances while revealing hidden aspects of society. By contrasting innocence and crime, it offers a humorous and intriguing look at people often considered beyond redemption, ultimately prompting empathy and understanding.IMDb 6.7TMDB 7.0
