Watch Versus: The Life and Films of Ken Loach

Versus: The Life and Films of Ken Loach is a 2016 documentary film that follows the career of British director Ken Loach. The film is directed by Louise Osmond and features interviews with Loach, as well as his collaborators and actors who have worked with him over the years. The film provides a comprehensive and intimate portrait of Loach, starting with his childhood in Nuneaton, England, where he developed a passion for cinema. It traces his early career as a director of television dramas, including the groundbreaking drama Cathy Come Home, which dealt with the issue of homelessness in the UK.

Versus highlights Loach's commitment to social realism and his desire to make films that address important social issues. The documentary features clips from many of his films, including Kes and The Wind That Shakes the Barley, and shows how Loach's style and approach have evolved over the years.

The film also delves into the political context of Loach's work, exploring his involvement with leftist politics in the UK and his views on issues such as the welfare state, the Labour Party, and the European Union. The documentary interviews many of Loach's collaborators, such as the writer Jim Allen and actress Lesley Ashton, who provide insight into Loach's working methods and the challenges of making politically-charged films.

One of the themes that emerges from Versus is the tension between Loach's desire to create socially-engaged cinema and the commercial pressures of the film industry. The film explores Loach's struggles to find funding for his films and the times when his work has been controversial or even banned. It also highlights the moments of triumph, such as when he won the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival for his film I, Daniel Blake.

Through interviews with Loach himself and the people who have worked with him over the years, Versus paints a vivid picture of a filmmaker who is deeply committed to creating cinema that reflects the realities of life in the UK. The film's use of archival footage and clips from Loach's films adds texture and depth to the story, and provides a rich tapestry of British social history.

Overall, Versus is a fascinating and insightful look at one of the UK's most important filmmakers. It illuminates how Loach's unique vision and commitment to social justice have made him a seminal figure in European cinema, and provides a window into the creative process of a true maverick of British cinema.