MovieChat Forums > Ratcatcher (1999) Discussion > Reminiscent Of Kes

Reminiscent Of Kes

posted 18 years ago by ollie_clixby
10 replies | jump to latest

While watching this beautiful yet juxtaposedly ugly film not long ago, I couldn't help but consistently envisage the film 'Kes' by Ken Loach. Both follow the plebeian lifestyle of young boys who see no hope in life for themselves, mainly due to the lack of opportunities they live amongst. There also seemed to be an animal issue as well in both films (obviously Kes). Lynne Ramsey I reckon was heavily influenced from Loach's image of a working class lifestyle, because she even uses scenes of nude children which caused controversy for Loach when Billy Casper descends from the PE showers in 'Kes'

Did anyone else pick up on this?

[–] 18 years ago

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[–] cd_boy_33 17 years ago

can you tell me if this movie is gory

[–] 17 years ago

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[–] cd_boy_33 17 years ago

tell me more about the rats?

[–] 17 years ago

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[–] cd_boy_33 17 years ago

as long as there is no gore i will see it (i dont care if ther is sex or not or nudity )

[–] r_coli 17 years ago

I don't think it was too gory. The drowning scenes were heart wrenching and the bits with rats just make you shudder. There is quite a bit of mature content though, concerning sexuality in adolescents. Some nudity, but no actual sex scenes. Overall, I think the film is just trying to realistically portray how dreadful a young person's life can be.

[–] TheCineSinge 8 years ago

Yes, absolutely. There's this odd but heartwrenchingly honest trope involving animals and children throughout the history of cinema and it is none more so present than in these two films.

The rats also brought to mind another Ken Loach film, RIFF-RAFF, in which they specifically are featured - one would argue as ironic allegory. Although not focused on children the film is similarly concerned with strike action, the working class, and briefly features a rundown estate in Glasgow.