Social Realism is a film genre which focuses on giving the audience a true indication of what life is like. Filmmakers such as Ken Loach, Shane Meadows and Mike Leigh are well known for their role in

directing social realism films and tv series’.

RAYMOND WILLIAMS DEFINITION OF SOCIAL REALISM

-That it is grounded in the contemporary scene in terms of setting, characters and socialissues.

-Social realist directors try to portray life at that time

-That it contains an element of social extension by which previously under-representedgroups in society become represented

-There is the intent of the artist which is mostly a political one

-These films are secular- they are about logic and reasons, not mystical or religious

Social realistic films portray attitudes and life factors occurring at that period in time. They often represent working class characters living through a struggle and generally exhibit them as a protagonist. Often, the directors of social realistic films want to depict a type of social injustice, such as: economic hardship, discrimination or political injustice. In Saturday night, Sunday morning (1960)the director, Karel Reisz, choose to display the unethical life story of a factory worker and how he lived through deception, affairs and abortions, but was still displayed by Reisz as a heroic character

KEN LOACH:Is a British filmmaker who is known for naturalistic social realist

directing. He is well known for his role as a director in ‘My Name is Joe’ (1998) a film about a unemployed former alcoholic Joe and

community health worker Sarah, start a romantic relationship in the one of the toughest Glasgow neighbourhoods.