I, DANIEL BLAKE

Review: A 59-year old carpenter is unable to work due to a recent heart attack. He befriends a young single mother as they are both struggling with the red tape of the British benefits system.
Director: Ken Loach
Actors: Dave Johns, Hayley Squires and Sharon Percy
Year: 2016
Genre: Art House, Drama and International
Conclusion: 5/5
I found myself not being able to watch some scenes as it all seemed so true to life. I have seen endless trailers for this and thought I knew what I was going to be in for. Nothing prepares you at just how surreal it all is. The script was very well written and very sensitive. Both Dave Johns and Hayley Squires are both fantastic. It is great having a film like this where you haven’t actually heard of the main characters as it can sometimes spoil the film. There is a sense of community in this i.e. people looking out for each other and also these people not having much money. Daniel going round to help Katie with a few carpentry skills, the young lads who live next door to Daniel always keeping an eye on him. I laughed a few times at the beginning, I cried but I was also very annoyed with the film. Despite all that I was profoundly moved by the whole film. When Ken Loach won the Palm d’Or Award he is the oldest person to get it, aged 79.  The official screening of this was at the Cannes Film Festival when the film finished it was greeted by a rapturous 15- minute standing ovation. At the Cannes Film Festival in 2006 this film won 3 awards. They were for Ken Loach for the Palm Dog Manitarian Award (for including a 3 legged dog!), Ken Loach for the Palm d’Or Award and also the Prize of the Ecumenical Jury – Special Mention. At the Bafta Awards in 2017 this won for Outstanding British Film of the Year.