In this paper I take a closer look at the movie Kes produced by Ken Loach.
The movie is based on the book A Kestrel for a Knave which was written by Barry Hines. It is
a pretty interesting story and by watching the movie the viewer automatically compares his
own life and school experiences with Billys experiences.
In the first part of this work I give a short introduction about the background and the situation
in which the movie takes place.
In the second part I take a closer look at Billys daily life, his future options and his
relationship to his brother.
[...]
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Background information
2.1. Summary of the film
2.2. Some characteristics of films produced by Ken Loach
2.3. Short biography of Barry Hines
2.4. General setting
3. General situation in the movie
3.1. The class situation in the film/shown classes
3.2. Mobility between classes/social mobility
3.3. Characterisation of the working-class in the late 60s
4. Billy and his environment
4.1. Picture of Billy presented in the film
4.2. Living conditions
4.3 Relationship between Billy and his brother
4.4. School
Research Objectives and Themes
This paper examines Ken Loach’s film "Kes," based on Barry Hines’ novel "A Kestrel for a Knave," to analyze the social realities, class struggles, and educational environment of a young boy in late 1960s North England.
- The influence of the working-class environment on individual opportunities.
- Social mobility and the structural limitations within the educational system.
- The characterization and daily struggle of the working-class in Northern England.
- The role of personal passion and individual identity in a restrictive setting.
Excerpt from the Book
3.1. The class situation in the film/shown classes
In the film Kes we get a realistic impression of the working class in the 60s. England at that time has a very strong class hierarchy. This is shown in different ways in the film. For once there are some passive informations in the film. It starts with the dress Billy is wearing – dress in light blue corduroy trousers and a khaki jacket – but also the light where brown, green and grey dominates gives a more depressive picture of the film. More obvious is the education problem.
„Perhaps if he had been brought up in a different environment and had a better education he probably would have made more than what he has done. At the moment, he’s just, he’s hopeless, he’s a hopeless case, in’t he?“(Leigh, 2002)
In this quote it becomes obvious that Billys mother is aware of her class but feels unable to break class boundaries for or with Billy.
Also Billys teacher Mr. Farthing is not capable to help Billy to get more education to have more future opportunities.
Ken Loach is not directly talking about the class situation but through lightening and sounds and camera actions he shows a realistic situation at that time.
Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: The introduction outlines the focus on the movie "Kes" and explains the paper's structure, which covers the film's background and an analysis of Billy's life.
2. Background information: This section provides a summary of the plot, identifies the stylistic hallmarks of director Ken Loach, offers biographical details on author Barry Hines, and establishes the geographical and temporal setting.
3. General situation in the movie: This chapter analyzes the rigid class hierarchy of 1960s England, the lack of social mobility, and the sociological characterization of the working class during that era.
4. Billy and his environment: This part examines the protagonist's personal situation, including his living conditions, his strained relationship with his brother, and his negative experiences within the school system.
Keywords
Ken Loach, Kes, Barry Hines, A Kestrel for a Knave, working-class, class hierarchy, North England, social mobility, school system, Billy, childhood, 1960s, film analysis, coal mining, documentary style.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this paper?
The paper provides a cinematic and sociological analysis of Ken Loach's film "Kes" and its portrayal of a boy's life in a working-class environment.
What are the central themes discussed in the work?
Key themes include social class boundaries, the influence of the education system on future opportunities, and the daily struggles of life in a coal-mining region of North England.
What is the main objective of the author?
The goal is to explore how the film portrays the structural limitations of the working class and to evaluate the personal development of the protagonist, Billy.
Which scientific method is applied here?
The author uses a qualitative analysis approach, combining film study with sociological context and literary references to interpret the narrative.
What aspects of the protagonist's life are covered in the main body?
The main body examines Billy's home life, his relationship with his brother, his educational environment, and his passion for training a kestrel as an expression of his individual identity.
Which keywords best describe the paper?
The paper is best defined by terms such as working-class, social mobility, class hierarchy, Ken Loach, and North England.
How does Ken Loach's directorial style affect the film?
Loach utilizes a documentary-style approach, favoring natural light and non-professional actors to create a gritty, realistic depiction of the environment and the protagonist's struggles.
How is the relationship between Billy and his brother portrayed?
The brothers are portrayed as opposites with no familiarity; the brother represents the restrictive future Billy hopes to escape, eventually escalating to the tragic act of killing the kestrel.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Martin Setzkorn (Autor:in), 2004, "Kes" - A movie analysis, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/115489
