My Name Is Joe

(Great Britain/Germany/Spain, 1998, 105 minutes)

A Glaswegian reformed alcoholic on the dole coaching an amateur football team meets and falls in love with a social worker. British social realism typical of this director, apparently livelier and more optimistic than usual, with a stunning lead performance and a nice line in self-deprecating humour betrayed by a bleak, hopeless ending.

A Parallax Pictures/Road Movies Vierte production, with the support of the Scottish Arts Council National Lottery Fund, The Glasgow Film Fund and Filmstiftung Nordrhein-Westfalen, in collaboration with Channel Four Films, WDR, ARTE, La Sept Cinéma, ARD, Degeto Film, BIM Distribuzione, Diaphana Distribution, Tornasol and Alta Films. Starring Peter Mullan, Louise Goodall; David McKay, Annemarie Kennedy, Gary Lewis, Lorraine McIntosh; and David Hayman. Directed by Ken Loach; produced by Rebecca O'Brien; written by Paul Laverty; music by George Fenton; director of photography (Metrocolor), Barry Ackroyd; production designer, Martin Johnson; costume designer, Rhona Russell; film editor, Jonathan Morris.