Adapted from Barry Hines’s novel A Kestrel for a Knave, Ken Loach’s second film Kes tells of fifteen-year-old Billy Casper (David Bradley), who seems destined for a life in the coal mines of his home town, Barnsley. But Billy’s discovery of a kestrel, and his dedication in training it, give him optimism – however temporary.

Chris Menges’s cinematography is as lyrical as John Cameron’s score, which seems to reflect Billy’s hidden potential while simultaneously sounding cautionary notes. Loach’s relaxed direction of a cast that includes ex-wrestler Brian Glover and future Chariots of Fire writer Colin Welland is as impressive as the unsentimental tenderness with which he depicts Billy’s life.

We are delighted to welcome David Bradley to QUAD to discuss the film in a post-screening Q+A, hosted by film writer Darrell Buxton.

This event will feature a subtitled version of the film, with a sign language interpreter present for the Q+A.

Tickets: £15 (standard), £13 (concessions).