Ken Loach and Mike Leigh, two long time British directors, are frequently compared to each other, despite having significantly different approaches. Loach’s latest film, Sorry We Missed You, reminded us of Leigh’s most recent film, Peterloo, in their political commitment to improving the lives of the working class.

In this episode, Editor-in-Chief Alex Heeney is joined by Executive Editor Orla Smith and Associate Editor Brett Pardy to discuss how Loach and Leigh approach politics, character, and much more.

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Sorry We Missed You, Ken Loach’s most recent film, focuses on the exploitation of the gig economy as seen through the lens one of working class family’s struggle to meet everyday expenses.

Peterloo, the latest film from the legendary Mike Leigh, portrays the events leading up to the 1819 Peterloo Massacre, where British soldiers killed 15 and injured as many as 700 people protesting for parliamentary reform.

Show notes and recommended reading

• Gillie Collins reviewed Ken Loach’s prior film I, Daniel Blake, writing ” the movie fails to challenge the idea that there is a Deserving Poor and an Undeserving Poor, and that these categories can and should be distinguished. To me, this is a distraction: everyone deserves a helping hand.”
• Last year we recorded an entire podcast episode dedicated to Peterloo and our ebook
• Purchase or preview our ebook Peterloo in Process: A Mike Leigh collaboration. The book includes interviews with Mike Leigh himself, cinematographer Dick Pope, editor Jon Gregory, costume designer Jacqueline Durran, production designer Suzie Davies, make-up designer Christine Blundell, plus actors Rory Kinnear and Maxine Peake.
• Purchase or preview our ebook on Celina Sciamma and Portrait of a Lady on Fire.
• Pre-order our newest ebook on Kelly Reichardt, available April 24

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