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15-year old Billy Casper's future in the coal-mining town of Barnsley, Yorkshire appears grimly pre-determined. Under-sized, he's rejected by his peers, ridiculed by his teachers, beaten by his older brother, and ignored by his mom. No wonder he's both a poor student and a petty thief. It's almost certain he's headed down into the coal-mine like his brother Jud... that is, until he cares for and trains a fledgling kestrel falcon.
Then, a world opens up. Billy studies falcons in books, learning about their diet and behavior. Kes, the name he's given to his bird, soars in the sky and Billy's spirits rise with her and, most importantly, she returns to him; belongs to him. A high-point is when he gives a talk about his falcon, encouraged by his English teacher, and we see the esteem in which his classmates hold him change before our eyes.
Barry Hines ably adapted his novel Kestrel for a Knave to the screen and Ken Loach's direction is both compassionate and unsentimental. Heading a cast of mostly non-professional performers, first-time actor David Bradley gives us a convincing Billy. KES received a 30th-anniversary theatrical re-release in Britain in 1999 and it consistently tops all-time best film lists there, but it is currently unavailable on video in this country. KES should not be missed.
" KES is Loach at his best. The film has a heartbreaking humanity." — Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
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showtime
Monday, April 24 at 7 pm
location
THE GREEN ROOM
144 West Street (across from the Comstock Hotel)
admission
$6 general / $4 GBFS members
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