Ken Loach is one of the world’s most renown naturalist filmmakers alive today. His films tend to focus on social issues facing ordinary individuals, including homelessness, income inequality, labor rights, and more. He has racked up serious critical acclaim and he’s one of nine filmmakers to win the Palme d’Or twice at the Cannes Film Festival for “That Shakes the Barley” in 2006 and “I, Daniel Blake” in 2016. This year, Loach will celebrate his 80th birthday, and there’s no better time to celebrate and honor his work than with a career-spanning documentary. “Versus: The Life and Films of Ken Loach” presents a candid, behind-the-scenes account of Loach’s body of work, tracking his career from the time he was an understudy in a Kenneth Williams revue to making groundbreaking TV dramas to directing major films such as “Kes” and “Riff-Raff.” Check out the trailer for the film above.
Read More: Cannes Review: Why ‘I, Daniel Blake’ is Ken Loach’s Best Movie in Years
“Versus: The Life and Films of Ken Loach” is directed by Louise Osmond, a British documentary filmmaker best known for films like “Deep Water,” about the disastrous 1968 round-the-world yacht race, and “Dark Horse,” about a group of friends who breed a racehorse to take down the “elite sport of kings.” Her film was in the works long before Loach won his second Palme d’Or at Cannes this year.
“Versus: The Life and Films of Ken Loach” was released in the UK on June 3rd and is currently seeking U.S. distribution.
Read More: Cannes: Why Ken Loach Doesn’t Want Cinema to Influence Society
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Related stories'i, Daniel Blake' Trailer: Ken Loach's Palme d'Or Winner Takes Aim at HealthcareCannes Review: Why 'I, Daniel Blake' is Ken Loach's Best Movie in YearsReview: Emotionally Rewarding Documentary 'Dark Horse' Will Get Your Heart Racing...
Read More: Cannes Review: Why ‘I, Daniel Blake’ is Ken Loach’s Best Movie in Years
“Versus: The Life and Films of Ken Loach” is directed by Louise Osmond, a British documentary filmmaker best known for films like “Deep Water,” about the disastrous 1968 round-the-world yacht race, and “Dark Horse,” about a group of friends who breed a racehorse to take down the “elite sport of kings.” Her film was in the works long before Loach won his second Palme d’Or at Cannes this year.
“Versus: The Life and Films of Ken Loach” was released in the UK on June 3rd and is currently seeking U.S. distribution.
Read More: Cannes: Why Ken Loach Doesn’t Want Cinema to Influence Society
Stay on top of the latest breaking film and TV news! Sign up for our Email Newsletters here.
Related stories'i, Daniel Blake' Trailer: Ken Loach's Palme d'Or Winner Takes Aim at HealthcareCannes Review: Why 'I, Daniel Blake' is Ken Loach's Best Movie in YearsReview: Emotionally Rewarding Documentary 'Dark Horse' Will Get Your Heart Racing...
- 6/14/2016
- by Vikram Murthi
- Indiewire
The Australian International Documentary Conference has confirmed that John Smithson - producer of Touching the Void, 127 Hours and Sherpa - will attend Aidc 2016.
Smithson will participate in a Feature Documentary Masterclass before a screening of Sherpa, which he will attend alongside director Jennifer Peedom and producer Bridget Ikin.
He will also co-present Keynote in Conversation: The Rise of the Superdoc with Phil Craig (Head of ABC Factual, 2012-2015).
Smithson is the co-founder of the UK production company Arrow Media and has produced Deep Water, The Falling Man, The Beckoning Silence and Thrilla in Manila among numerous other projects.
Aidc 2016 takes place at Acmi in Melbourne from February 28-March 2.
Smithson will participate in a Feature Documentary Masterclass before a screening of Sherpa, which he will attend alongside director Jennifer Peedom and producer Bridget Ikin.
He will also co-present Keynote in Conversation: The Rise of the Superdoc with Phil Craig (Head of ABC Factual, 2012-2015).
Smithson is the co-founder of the UK production company Arrow Media and has produced Deep Water, The Falling Man, The Beckoning Silence and Thrilla in Manila among numerous other projects.
Aidc 2016 takes place at Acmi in Melbourne from February 28-March 2.
- 1/19/2016
- by Staff Writer
- IF.com.au
Horse lovers – there’s a new documentary on the horizon.
Sony Pictures Classics has released the brand new trailer for Dark Horse.
Set in a former mining village in Wales, Dark Horse is the inspirational true story of a group of friends from a working men’s club who decide to take on the elite ‘sport of kings’ and breed themselves a racehorse. Raised on a slagheap allotment, their foal grows into an unlikely champion, beating the finest thoroughbreds in the land, before suffering a near fatal accident.
Nursed back to health by the love of his owners – for whom he’s become a source of inspiration and hope – he makes a remarkable recovery.
18 months later, defying all odds and judgement, Dream makes a heart-stopping comeback in the Welsh National. His fantastic victory makes the national news – Nags To Riches! Slumnag Millionaire! Champion The Wonder Horse! – and in all the...
Sony Pictures Classics has released the brand new trailer for Dark Horse.
Set in a former mining village in Wales, Dark Horse is the inspirational true story of a group of friends from a working men’s club who decide to take on the elite ‘sport of kings’ and breed themselves a racehorse. Raised on a slagheap allotment, their foal grows into an unlikely champion, beating the finest thoroughbreds in the land, before suffering a near fatal accident.
Nursed back to health by the love of his owners – for whom he’s become a source of inspiration and hope – he makes a remarkable recovery.
18 months later, defying all odds and judgement, Dream makes a heart-stopping comeback in the Welsh National. His fantastic victory makes the national news – Nags To Riches! Slumnag Millionaire! Champion The Wonder Horse! – and in all the...
- 12/4/2015
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
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50 fabulous documentary films, covering hard politics through to music, money and films that never were...
Thanks to streaming services such as Netflix, we’ve never had better access to documentaries. A whole new audience can discover that these real life stories are just as thrilling, entertaining, and incredible as the latest big-budget blockbuster. What’s more, they’re all true too. But with a new found glut of them comes the ever more impossible choice, what’s worth your time? Below is my pick of the 50 best modern feature length documentaries.
I’ve defined modern as being from 2000 onwards, which means some of the greatest documentaries ever made will not feature here. I’m looking at you Hoop Dreams.
50. McConkey (2013)
d. Rob Bruce, Scott Gaffney, Murray Wais, Steve Winter, David Zieff
Shane McConkey was an extreme skier and Base jumper who lived life on the edge, and very much to the full.
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50 fabulous documentary films, covering hard politics through to music, money and films that never were...
Thanks to streaming services such as Netflix, we’ve never had better access to documentaries. A whole new audience can discover that these real life stories are just as thrilling, entertaining, and incredible as the latest big-budget blockbuster. What’s more, they’re all true too. But with a new found glut of them comes the ever more impossible choice, what’s worth your time? Below is my pick of the 50 best modern feature length documentaries.
I’ve defined modern as being from 2000 onwards, which means some of the greatest documentaries ever made will not feature here. I’m looking at you Hoop Dreams.
50. McConkey (2013)
d. Rob Bruce, Scott Gaffney, Murray Wais, Steve Winter, David Zieff
Shane McConkey was an extreme skier and Base jumper who lived life on the edge, and very much to the full.
- 11/12/2015
- by simonbrew
- Den of Geek
Exclusive: BBC Films and BFI also set to board as core funders on theatrical documentary.
Louise Osmond, the UK director behind Sundance winner Dark Horse, is to direct Sixteen Films’ upcoming theatrical documentary exploring Ken Loach’s 50-year-old career through the battles fought around his films.
“Louise is a wonderful, observational filmmaker so she’s an ideal person to have come on board,” said Loach’s long-time producer Rebecca O’Brien at Sixteen Films.
Osmond replaces Loach’s son, Jim Loach, who was attached to the project when it was first announced last October.
“In the end, Jim decided not to do it and I can understand why - it’s too close to home,” said O’Brien.
In addition to signing Osmond, Sixteen Films has secured the backing of BBC Films and also expects the BFI (British Film Institute) to confirm its involvement at the beginning of July.
In a smaller development, the title of...
Louise Osmond, the UK director behind Sundance winner Dark Horse, is to direct Sixteen Films’ upcoming theatrical documentary exploring Ken Loach’s 50-year-old career through the battles fought around his films.
“Louise is a wonderful, observational filmmaker so she’s an ideal person to have come on board,” said Loach’s long-time producer Rebecca O’Brien at Sixteen Films.
Osmond replaces Loach’s son, Jim Loach, who was attached to the project when it was first announced last October.
“In the end, Jim decided not to do it and I can understand why - it’s too close to home,” said O’Brien.
In addition to signing Osmond, Sixteen Films has secured the backing of BBC Films and also expects the BFI (British Film Institute) to confirm its involvement at the beginning of July.
In a smaller development, the title of...
- 6/22/2015
- ScreenDaily
Sony Pictures Classics has acquired distribution rights to Louise Osmond's documentary "Dark Horse." The non-fiction feature was a major crowdpleaser at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival and went on to earn the Audience Award in the World Cinema Documentary Competition. "Dark Horse" tells the true story of a group of friends in Wales who decide to take on the elite "sport of kings" and breed themselves a racehorse. Against all odds, they raise their young foul on a nearby wasteland and train him to become a champion. The deal was negotiated with Sony Pictures Classics by Protagonist head of sales Vanessa Saal. Osmond's previous works include "Deep Water" and the BAFTA-nominated "Richard III: The King in the Car Park." Read More: All Sundance 2015 Acquisitions As They Come In...
- 2/6/2015
- by Zack Sharf
- Indiewire
In "How to Change The World," director Jerry Rothwell unearths extraordinary footage to tell a story about fighting for a cause — both by outlining the terms of the fight and the people engaged in it. As an organization, Greenpeace has been fighting for maintaining Earth’s natural environments for decades. Yet while it's in 40 different countries, and emboldened by almost three million supporters, the organization originally began with a group of hippies protesting nuclear bomb testing in Vancouver. From this starting point, documentarian Rothwell ("Donor Unknown, "Deep Water") explores the origin story of one of the most influential activist movements in history. "How to Change the World" structures its story around five steps to leaving a truly lasting impact on the world. Told through the writings of journalist-turned-activist Robert "Bob" Hunter, the reluctant leader of the movement. The writings are narrated by Emmy-winning actor...
- 1/24/2015
- by Sterlin Johnson
- Indiewire
Sundance ’15: Chuck Norris, Kim Longinotto & Louise Osmond Among 12 in World Documentary Competition
Supplying a wealth of treasures in just a dozen offerings, last year’s World Documentary Competition saw Talal Derki’s The Return to Homs claim the Grand Jury Prize over the likes of Iain Forsyth & Jane Pollard’s 20,000 Days On Earth, Göran Hugo Olsson’s Concerning Violence, Nadav Schirman’s The Green Prince and Hubert Sauper’s We Come as Friends. Among the docus we recall from previous oeuvres, we have Sisters in Law‘s Kim Longinotto & Deep Water‘s Louise Osmond. Here is the group of twelve.
The Amina Profile / Canada (Director: Sophie Deraspe) — During the Arab revolution, a love story between two women — a Canadian and a Syrian American — turns into an international sociopolitical thriller spotlighting media excesses and the thin line between truth and falsehood on the Internet. World Premiere
Censored Voices / Israel, Germany (Director: Mor Loushy) — One week after the 1967 Six-Day War, renowned author Amos Oz...
The Amina Profile / Canada (Director: Sophie Deraspe) — During the Arab revolution, a love story between two women — a Canadian and a Syrian American — turns into an international sociopolitical thriller spotlighting media excesses and the thin line between truth and falsehood on the Internet. World Premiere
Censored Voices / Israel, Germany (Director: Mor Loushy) — One week after the 1967 Six-Day War, renowned author Amos Oz...
- 12/3/2014
- by Eric Lavallee
- IONCINEMA.com
Upcoming features starring Michael Fassbender and Jude Law will be taken to market alongside a wave of titles that include first time filmmakers, documentaries and shorts.
Film4 is heading into Cannes with a slate that highlights its ongoing commitment to a range of UK talent, from first time directors to established auteurs.
Giving Screen a first look at the showreel it will be taking to the Cannes market next week, outgoing Film4 head Tessa Ross said the line-up “showcases a host of filmmakers, both new and established, with a unique vision and a breadth of brilliant storytelling”.
New titles in development include documentary Forgiveness, from Searching For Sugar Man producer Nicole Stott and executive producer John Battsek.
The feature debut of Elizabeth Stopford explores the ideals of a community put to the test in the wake of two inexplicable shooting sprees. The film weaves stylized dramatic reconstructions of the murders in the past with the ongoing journeys...
Film4 is heading into Cannes with a slate that highlights its ongoing commitment to a range of UK talent, from first time directors to established auteurs.
Giving Screen a first look at the showreel it will be taking to the Cannes market next week, outgoing Film4 head Tessa Ross said the line-up “showcases a host of filmmakers, both new and established, with a unique vision and a breadth of brilliant storytelling”.
New titles in development include documentary Forgiveness, from Searching For Sugar Man producer Nicole Stott and executive producer John Battsek.
The feature debut of Elizabeth Stopford explores the ideals of a community put to the test in the wake of two inexplicable shooting sprees. The film weaves stylized dramatic reconstructions of the murders in the past with the ongoing journeys...
- 5/9/2014
- by michael.rosser@screendaily.com (Michael Rosser)
- ScreenDaily
Dogwoof to handle pre-sales on Sour Grapes.
UK-based distributor Dogwoof has boarded pre-sales for Sour Grapes, currently in production, a documentary that tells the story of one of the greatest wine fraud cases in the Us.
Directed by Jerry Rothwell, who previously made documentaries Deep Water and Town of Runners, the film unfolds as a heist thriller in the vintage wine market, following the rise and fall of wine fraudster Rudy Kurniawan.
The deal was brokered by Vesna Cudic, head of TV sales and acquisitions at Dogwoof with Met Film Production producer Al Morrow and Faites Un Voeu producer Catherine Simeon.
It marks the third third partnership between Dogwoof and Met Film Production following Town of Runners and Village at the End of the World.
Dogwoof came on board at the production stage after seeing an initial pitch at Sheffield Doc/Fest. Completion is set for late 2014.
UK-based distributor Dogwoof has boarded pre-sales for Sour Grapes, currently in production, a documentary that tells the story of one of the greatest wine fraud cases in the Us.
Directed by Jerry Rothwell, who previously made documentaries Deep Water and Town of Runners, the film unfolds as a heist thriller in the vintage wine market, following the rise and fall of wine fraudster Rudy Kurniawan.
The deal was brokered by Vesna Cudic, head of TV sales and acquisitions at Dogwoof with Met Film Production producer Al Morrow and Faites Un Voeu producer Catherine Simeon.
It marks the third third partnership between Dogwoof and Met Film Production following Town of Runners and Village at the End of the World.
Dogwoof came on board at the production stage after seeing an initial pitch at Sheffield Doc/Fest. Completion is set for late 2014.
- 1/17/2014
- by michael.rosser@screendaily.com (Michael Rosser)
- ScreenDaily
- In recent years I've often criticized the Academy Awards for not having the foresight and fortitude to include docu films that have not only completely reinvigorated the genre, but have pushed the medium to new possible artistic and narrative terrains. This year's short list of 15 titles only further confirms that the Academy has tremendous difficulty in acknowledging the wider scope of films that merit year-end salutations. The formula for the docu-filmmaking and docu movie-going experience has significantly changed since Y2K, yet the most prestigious award film ceremony seems to come up short when it comes to new trends in storytelling and filmmaking. Today IndieWIRE reports Aj Schnack will collaborate with online independent film distributor IndiePix to launch a new nonfiction filmmaking awards event, set for March 18, 2008 at IFC Center in New York City. Below you find a Top 15 list of films that will be nominated for eight categories,
- 1/7/2008
- IONCINEMA.com
Deep Water is a stunning documentary that not only beautifully elucidates a nearly forgotten incident but touches on crucial themes involving isolation, sanity, self-worth, impossible dreams, the nature of heroism and limits of human endurance. The film asks the right questions and never settles for glib answers; indeed this incident defies answers because the enterprise -- an attempt to circumnavigate the globe in a nonstop sailing race by an Englishman who was at best a weekend yachtsman -- lacks all rationality.
The film opens Friday in Los Angeles and New York preceding a national rollout. With vigorous marketing, IFC Films should see solid art house boxoffice, and the film undoubtedly will live long on TV and DVD.
In 1968, searching for a circulation booster and mindful of the fuss the year before when Francis Chichester became a national hero by sailing single-handedly around the world, the Sunday Times of London announced a race open to anyone willing to sail solo and nonstop around the world. Two prizes were offered: one to the first man home and a second prize, worth a then-hefty £5,000, for the fastest voyage.
Donald Crowhurst, a 36-year-old father of four with a loundering marine electronics business, is determined to enter. He persuades a local businessman to fund the construction of a "revolutionary" boat. But the businessman exacts a high price: Should Crowhurst fail to complete the voyage, he must buy back the boat, which would mean financial ruin for the struggling businessman.
The boat never gets put together correctly in the rush to meet an Oct. 31 launch date. Nor does Crowhurst really know what he is doing. But no one, not even his loving wife Clare, says, "Don't go." So he steps aboard the unseaworthy craft -- in a tie no less! -- to set sail. He is leaving too late to be the first home, but he can still run the fastest.
Crowhurst has a 16mm camera and tape recorder on board. So filmmakers Louise Osmond and Jerry Rothwell have a treasure trove of documents from which to fashion this utterly fascinating film. They also have footage and diaries of another racer, Frenchman Bernard Moitessier, to supplement Crowhurst's.
The guides for this journey include Tilda Swinton's narration, Crowhurst's own log and writings and remarkably insightful interviews with Crowhurst's wife, son Simon, his best friend and a Fleet Street journalist, among others.
Making poor time in a leaky craft, Crowhurst is faced with a fateful decision after two weeks. To continue into the stormy Southern Ocean is sheer suicide. To turn back means bankruptcy and humiliation. He chooses a third option.
In a day when satellite positioning did not exist, he reports back record-breaking daily speeds and wrong positions while he drifts aimlessly toward South America. Then he breaks all radio contact. He even makes an illegal landing in Argentina for repairs.
His plan is to wait for the race to catch up with him, then slip back in unnoticed. As long as he finishes but does not win, no one will scrutinize his logbooks. Then two unthinkable events conspired to trap him in his own lie.
A salient fact almost slips by in one of the interviews: Crowhurst is clearly driven by the memory of his own father's destitution and early death after returning home from British India, where the family must have felt a sense of privilege. He also battles with his own self-image of a confident, can-do guy who will rescue his family from similar straits.
Then there is the isolation. A person becomes a god in the vastness of the sea. All decisions belong to you and you alone. Really, though, just by staying at sea in a "bloody boat that is falling to pieces" for 243 days is a kind of triumph. In his own way, Donald Crowhurst did achieve a tainted heroism.
DEEP WATER
IFC Films
Pathe Prods., U.K. Film Council and FilmFour present an APT Films and Stir Friend Films production in association with Darlow Smithson Prods.
Credits:
Directors: Louise Osmond, Jerry Rothwell
Producers: Al Morrow, Jonny Persey, John Smithson
Executive producers: Francois Ivernel, Ralph Lee, Cameron McCracken, Paul Trijbits
Director of photography: Nina Kellgren
Music: Molly Nyman, Harry Escott
Co-producer: Stewart Le Marechal
Supervising editor: Justine Wright
Editor: Ben Lester
Narrator: Tilda Swinton
Running time -- 93 minutes
MPAA rating PG...
The film opens Friday in Los Angeles and New York preceding a national rollout. With vigorous marketing, IFC Films should see solid art house boxoffice, and the film undoubtedly will live long on TV and DVD.
In 1968, searching for a circulation booster and mindful of the fuss the year before when Francis Chichester became a national hero by sailing single-handedly around the world, the Sunday Times of London announced a race open to anyone willing to sail solo and nonstop around the world. Two prizes were offered: one to the first man home and a second prize, worth a then-hefty £5,000, for the fastest voyage.
Donald Crowhurst, a 36-year-old father of four with a loundering marine electronics business, is determined to enter. He persuades a local businessman to fund the construction of a "revolutionary" boat. But the businessman exacts a high price: Should Crowhurst fail to complete the voyage, he must buy back the boat, which would mean financial ruin for the struggling businessman.
The boat never gets put together correctly in the rush to meet an Oct. 31 launch date. Nor does Crowhurst really know what he is doing. But no one, not even his loving wife Clare, says, "Don't go." So he steps aboard the unseaworthy craft -- in a tie no less! -- to set sail. He is leaving too late to be the first home, but he can still run the fastest.
Crowhurst has a 16mm camera and tape recorder on board. So filmmakers Louise Osmond and Jerry Rothwell have a treasure trove of documents from which to fashion this utterly fascinating film. They also have footage and diaries of another racer, Frenchman Bernard Moitessier, to supplement Crowhurst's.
The guides for this journey include Tilda Swinton's narration, Crowhurst's own log and writings and remarkably insightful interviews with Crowhurst's wife, son Simon, his best friend and a Fleet Street journalist, among others.
Making poor time in a leaky craft, Crowhurst is faced with a fateful decision after two weeks. To continue into the stormy Southern Ocean is sheer suicide. To turn back means bankruptcy and humiliation. He chooses a third option.
In a day when satellite positioning did not exist, he reports back record-breaking daily speeds and wrong positions while he drifts aimlessly toward South America. Then he breaks all radio contact. He even makes an illegal landing in Argentina for repairs.
His plan is to wait for the race to catch up with him, then slip back in unnoticed. As long as he finishes but does not win, no one will scrutinize his logbooks. Then two unthinkable events conspired to trap him in his own lie.
A salient fact almost slips by in one of the interviews: Crowhurst is clearly driven by the memory of his own father's destitution and early death after returning home from British India, where the family must have felt a sense of privilege. He also battles with his own self-image of a confident, can-do guy who will rescue his family from similar straits.
Then there is the isolation. A person becomes a god in the vastness of the sea. All decisions belong to you and you alone. Really, though, just by staying at sea in a "bloody boat that is falling to pieces" for 243 days is a kind of triumph. In his own way, Donald Crowhurst did achieve a tainted heroism.
DEEP WATER
IFC Films
Pathe Prods., U.K. Film Council and FilmFour present an APT Films and Stir Friend Films production in association with Darlow Smithson Prods.
Credits:
Directors: Louise Osmond, Jerry Rothwell
Producers: Al Morrow, Jonny Persey, John Smithson
Executive producers: Francois Ivernel, Ralph Lee, Cameron McCracken, Paul Trijbits
Director of photography: Nina Kellgren
Music: Molly Nyman, Harry Escott
Co-producer: Stewart Le Marechal
Supervising editor: Justine Wright
Editor: Ben Lester
Narrator: Tilda Swinton
Running time -- 93 minutes
MPAA rating PG...
- 8/24/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
- It’s not on my top 50 things to do list before I die, but have you ever wondered about sailing around the world? Besides the ideal tanning line, and the abundance of cultural experiences and the daily personal challenges – the notion of doing such a super human task in the not always friendly waters of the world seems like an adventure fit for a nutjob. If “from the producers of Touching the Void” tag line doesn’t do enough to convey what kind of doc this might be turn out to be – then the film’s title Deep Water surely reveals the kind of zone this saga goes.Narrated by Tilda Swinton and directed by Louise Osmond and Jerry Rothwell, this is a documentary about the disastrous 1968 round-the-world yacht race. When Donald Crowhurst, the owner of an ailing marine electronics business, stakes everything to complete the first solo, non-stop,
- 8/22/2007
- IONCINEMA.com
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