Photo: Lynne Ramsay on set
In anticipation of our Mod dance party on February 10 - our Friday night double feature on February 9th will screen two pioneering works of British social realism: Ken Loach’s Kes (1969) and Lynne Ramsay’s Ratcatcher (1999).
This cultural movement in cinema, often called “Kitchen Sink realism,” gets cooking in the 50s and 60s on the heels of widespread industrial decline and economic hardship following world war II. With real working class struggles coming to the fore all over the British isles, frustration with the UK’s endless class struggle comes to a boil. And similar to other moments of narrative realism in history - British filmmaking makes a sharp towards representing the gritty daily reality of the working man.
Photo: Kes (1969)
Ken Loach, a pivotal figure in this genre, is renowned for his commitment to social realism. His films frequently address poverty, homelessness, and the working-class experience in England. Loach's approach to filmmaking is deeply grounded in reality; he often employs non-professional actors and uses real locations rather than sets. This method adds authenticity to his stories, making them more relatable and impactful. His incredible film, "Kes" explores the life of a working-class boy who finds solace in training a kestrel. Loach's realism is patient and direct, using a observational documentary-like style to explore societal issues often from the outside in. And, similar to other realisms of 20th century filmmaking, the focus is often on children.
Photo: Ratcatcher (1999)
Thirty years later a brilliant young director Lynne Ramsay releases her debut feature length film, Ratcatcher. Resonant in many ways with the tonality and visceral portraiture of Loach and the realists of the 60s and 70s, Ramsay takes the genre a step further by bringing her powerful observational style to the psychological aspects of her characters, giving cinematic life to their inner lives. "Ratcatcher," set during the Glasgow garbage strike of the 1970s, is a poignant coming-of-age story that focuses on a young boy living in squalor, similar in theme to Kes, but Ramsay’s realism grows more stylized and psychological, with a strong emphasis on the visual and auditory representation of her lead’s emotional world.
Kitchen sink realism, as it evolves from Ken Loach to Lynne Ramsay, provides a unique and powerful perspective on physical and psychic survival in harsh conditions. Their stories articulate poignant social commentaries, making them the most intimate form of filmic activism.
Friday, February 9th, 2024
DINNER RESERVATIONS AT THE STAGECOACH TAVERN
6-11pm
In the Barnspace at Race Brook Lodge
864 South Undermountain road ( AKA Rt 41 ) Sheffield, MATickets: $8 advance, $10 at the door
Race Brook Lodge is a hidden gem in The Berkshires, at the foot of Mt. Race and a short hike from the Appalachian trail. The yoga & event barn at Race Brook is simultaneously rustic and sublime, steeped in hundreds of years of New England history. The Stagecoach Tavern is unpretentious fine dining, exquisite farm-to-table cuisine in a relaxed atmosphere. Much of the food is sourced from Race Farm, right on the property!
