Riff-Raff (1991)

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Ken Loach: This film was based on the experiences of Bill Jesse's time as building worker. The gang of actors had all spent time in various trades on building sites. Bobby had been a painter and decorator, Ricky had been a plasterer and the others had been roofers, tilers etc and that shared experience helped them to do the film.

This shot of Ricky was the first time he deigned to reveal his all to the cinema public, and he was unable to resist doing it again in the next film Raining Stones. There was some discussion as to whether his hard hat was going to be big enough for the job, but we decided on close examination that it was.

"Ken keeps a close hold of the script and when you are doing that for the first time it is probably easier for him to say 'I'll guide you through the film.' It was only when I began talking about Riff-Raff afterwards that I realised how good the process had been."

Robert Carlyle 'Stevie', Riff-Raff