What did the victorious end of World War II mean to the citizens of Great Britain and what traces has the euphoria of post-war days left in the England of today? In collaboration with Artcam distribution company, DAFilms.com portal starts the new year’s documentary programme with a day-and-date release of Spirit of ’45 by British film legend Ken Loach. Get ready for an online premiere of your own, in the comfort of your favourite couch, on Thursday, January 30, 2014!
Ken Loach ranks among the leading personalities of modern European cinema. His films have been winning high-ranking awards at leading film festivals since the late 1970s. Cannes, Venice as well as Karlovy Vary have welcomed the director among its award holders. This year, the directing art of Ken Loach will be honoured at the Berlinale. In February, the director will receive the Honorary Golden Bear for his lifetime achievements. As Berlinale’s director Dieter Kosslick has said, “Over his almost 50-year career, he has shown an extraordinary degree of continuity, while remaining innovative at all times. We are honouring Ken Loach as a director and greatly admire him for how he reflects on social injustices with humour in his films.“
The Spirit of ’45 proves that Ken Loach’s film language is variable while remaining thematically consistent. In his latest film, the director does not abandon powerful social themes and social thinking. After his previous films dealing with the theme of homelessness and labour, Loach revisits the phenomenon of war, namely the first post-war days of 1945 which have changed the ruins of Great Britain into a place of joy, work and common faith in a brighter future. Through period footage and witness accounts, Loach traces back the idea of social justice which has defined the direction of post-war England as we know it today. “The Second World War was a struggle, perhaps the most considerable collective struggle this country has ever experienced. Never again, it was believed, would we allow poverty, unemployment and the rise of fascism to disfigure our lives. We had won the war together, together we could win the peace. If we could plan to wage military campaigns, could we not plan to build houses, create a health service, transport system and to make goods that we needed for reconstruction? The central idea was common ownership, where production and services were to benefit all. The few should not get rich to the detriment of everyone else. It was a noble idea, popular and acclaimed by the majority. It was the spirit of 1945. Maybe it is time to remember it today,” says the director.
Get immersed in the post-war past and be inspired by the euphoria of the days of victory. You don’t have to travel to cinema halls to see the premiere of the film though; you can watch it right at your home! All you need is an internet connection and 96 minutes to watch the film. For 40 CZK only, you can stream the film online; for 80 CZK, you can download the film legally in AVI format; or you can invest 130 CZK into the DVD format. Take advantage of the ay-and-date release on January 30, presenting a simultaneous premiere in Czech cinemas and online, and invite the famous director to your home!
The film is only available to audiences in the Czech Republic.
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