MADE IN THE MIDLANDS WITH KEN LOACH

The Made in the Midlands podcast explores our regional identity through the voices of those who are from the Midlands and have risen to prominence in Britain. This edition features Ken Loach in person at Coventry Cathedral in front of a live audience.

Director Ken Loach appears at the Coventry Made in the Midlands event six weeks after celebrating his 85th birthday. Behind him is a vast array of award-winning cinema and television films, in which moving human stories are told in an uncompromisingly political context. In 1999 Kes was named seventh best twentieth century British film. More recently, I Daniel Blake brought his second Palme D’Or as well as a BAFTA for Outstanding British Film. Born in Nuneaton, Loach attended the town’s King Edward V1 Grammar School before studying at Oxford. How much does that Midlands upbringing affect his work and politics?

The podcast is made by independent production company Loftus Media and is presented by committed Brummie and Baggie Adrian Goldberg. The producer is a son of South Derbyshire, Andrew Smith.

Coventry City of Culture Trust have supported four episodes of Made in the Midlands, three of which will be recorded at live events in the city. This event is part of the Festival of Ideas.

Photo by Paul Crowther.