A detailed analysis of Ken Loach’s claims and the method he uses in the football scene in ‘Kes’
‘Kes’ is a film set in the late 1960’s where the industrial landscape and the agricultural landscape set a great contrast for this film to be taken. This conversion of landscapes shows that it is set in the industrial town of Barnsley. In the movie, Billy Casper is a boy who has very little hope of being successful in life. There are many scenes in which he is found being bullied by his brother Jud as well as people in his school. His mother refers to him as ‘a hopeless case’ due to his roguish behaviour like stealing milk from milk vans and various other things.
In the football scene running across parts 3 and 4, his gym teacher (Mr Sugdon), ridicules Casper in many ways. When he plays football, he picks players and finally is left with Casper to pick. Here, he says, “Casper, I’ve got to have you”, meaning that he does not want him at all and is treating children very meanly which is not what a teacher is meant to do.
He also things that he knows everything about football. This is seen when he tries to commentate, referee and play at the same time. Casper is also forced into the goal though he does not want to be in goal. It is as if Mr Sugdon was the one controlling everyone like puppets. Instead he would like to something like climbing as he is very agile but Mr Sugdon does not allow it.
When Mr Sugdon is introduced to us, Loach introduces him with a pompous fanfare and he comes in doing his football skills. This creates the start to a hilarious scene. He is also seen in a Manchester United shirt trying to show of his football expertise.
Loach tries to convey what Mr Sugdon thinks of himself through showing the various skills he does with close– ups and long shots. Casper lets the ball into the goal; Mr Sugdon throws the stone hard ball at him whereas he himself did not do well. As Mr Sugdon takes his penalty kick, he says to the others, “Just watch...