BBC: Loach film wins top Cannes prize

[Mark in Vancouver]

British director Ken Loach's The Wind That Shakes The Barley has won the Palme d'Or - the top prize at the Cannes film festival.
The film, about Ireland's struggle for independence, beat 19 others to the prestigious prize.

Hong Kong director Wong Kar Wai, who led the jury, said his panel had looked for films which reflected "compassion, hope, bonding and solidarity".

Other jurors included actors Tim Roth, Samuel L Jackson and Monica Belluci.

Wong said the jury's decision had been a unanimous one.

British actress Helena Bonham Carter, who was also on the jury, said Loach's film "hit us all profoundly".

"It was one of five films about war and it was a fantastic education about the Irish problem," she added.

"There was a tremendous humanity. I can't explain our mass reaction but we were all profoundly moved."

[Martin Thoene]

You sure that you're on the correct Loach forum Mark?

Funnily enough, if you put "Loach" in on Google, you get as many hits on Ken as you do fishy hits.

Martin.