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ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

Davidson Film Club Presents “Kes,” Seventh on the List of the Best British Films of all Time

by | Nov 20, 2019 | Arts & Entertainment, Davidson Film Club, News

On Saturday, November 23, at 7:00 p.m., at the Armour Street Theatre, the Davidson Film Club (DFC) is pleased to present “Kes,”  seventh on the list of the best British filmsof all time. 

Andrea Grunvall, of the Chicago Reader called it, “A classic of British social realism.” And it received a Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer of 100%, with an Audience Score of 91%

A film from the UK in 1969, It was directed by Ken Loach, with a running time of 1 hour, 54 minutes, in Yorkshire British English. The discussion of the film will be led by Barry Pulver, an international real estate agent who was born, reared, and educated in Great Britain, and who currently resides in Davidson.

*This is the final film in the fall series (we do not screen a film in December). Memberships for the January-June 2020 series will begin in December. Watch for our email invitation!

If you are not a Davidson Film Club member, walk-ins ($9, NC Sales tax included) are always welcome, cash or check at the door.  Walk-in students $7.

 *Walk-ins: Please note that reservations should be made in advance at [email protected]. Walk-ins without reservations are welcome but may have to be seated after members and those with reserved tickets to avoid overcrowding (fire marshal regulations).

Refreshments (red and white wine, bottled water, and popcorn) will be made available by the Film Club.

Film Summary:

In this coming-of-age drama, Billy Casper, a 15-year-old working-class Yorkshire boy is bullied at home by his older brother and at school by his teachers and fellow students and largely ignored by his indifferent mother. Like other downtrodden children in an outmoded social system favoring the ruling class, Billy appears headed for a menial job with no future. He tames and trains a kestrel falcon whom he names “Kes.” Supported and encouraged by his English teacher and some of his fellow students, Billy finally finds a positive purpose to his unhappy existence and a form of hope—until “fate” steps in.

Two Best Actor Awards at the BAFTAs (British Oscars) plus Best Director, Best British Screenplay Prizes.

“One of the most powerful coming-of-age stories ever told, containing passages of great beauty.” Jeffrey M. Anderson, Common Sense Media

“Ken Loach’s social-realist tragedy from 1969 looks more luminous, more impassioned than ever, a rich film of flesh and blood.” Peter Bradshaw, The Guardian

Kes is one of the most astute, engaged films about education and what it takes for kids to be excited about learning or passionate about anything, really, whether in the classroom or roaming the fields with a feathered friend.” David Calhoun, Time Out

“Ken Loach seems to acquire a surer mastery of his art with each picture, yet this, one of his earliest features, is still one of his best.” David Parkinson, Radio Times

Please be reminded that members are always free to give their seats to a friend if they cannot make it to a given screening. Just email us at [email protected] to let us know the name of the friend who will be using your seat(s).

We are a non-profit, tax-exempt organization run by volunteers that only exists to bring you fine international fiction films and engage in stimulating discussion about them.

Hope to see many of you on Saturday, November 23, at the screening of this classic Ken Loach film.

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