Director: Ken Loach
By Alex Watson
Winner of the 2016 Palme d'Or at Cannes- Ken Loach's I, Daniel Blake gives a powerful voice to those affected by the UK benefits system. Showing a man being given the run around by uninterested jobcentre job centre workers and call centres, Loach gives a middle finger to bureaucracy. A movie filled with sadness, Loach's second win at Cannes was as worthy as his first.
Daniel Blake (Dave John) is a middle-aged worker living in Newcastle that is trapped in his own personal hell. Recovering from a major heart attack, Daniel is unjustly denied his employment and support allowance because the government has deemed him fit for work. Only able to claim jobseeker allowance, Daniel is constantly fighting the decision only to be put round in circles by the system. He also befriends desperate mother of three Katie (Hayley Squires) who is also struggling to keep her head above water.
Throughout I, Daniel Blake, Loach passionately defends the workers who have paid their dues to society. Daniel has been judged fit to work, but his doctor refuses to let go back. His nightmare is filled with form filling exercises, endless hold music and having to learn how to use computers due to technically illiterate. Middle aged but very skilled, living in an age of technology has left his era far behind. The apathy that is met from his jobcentre coaches who dismiss his futile efforts is what really sinks the knife in. Desperate to get back to work, he is forced to attend worthless CV seminars filled with cliched phrases and go door to door beginning for work. In post-Brexit Britain, this scene will likely become eerily familiar.
Katie's introduction is where Loach's film delivers its heaviest blows. Another victim of the cold bureaucracy of the system, her opening scene sees her thrown out the jobcentre for arriving a fraction late. Her pleas fall on deaf ears and they only want her out to avoid a scene, her explanations count for nothing between these walls. New to Newcastle having been forced to leave London due to no accommodation- Katie is barely holding on. While visiting a food bank, she is so overcome by hunger she eats baked beans raw from a tin. Daniel's kindness gives her some stability, but when faced with a lack of money she turns to a new line of work. This revelation is possible the movie's most upsetting feature.
It would be unfair to say that I, Daniel Blake is a bleak and miserable experience because Loach does find warmth in unlikely places. As a character, Daniel is a charismatic and despite the cruel hand he has been dealt, he refuses to back down. His relationship with his neighbour who sells knock-off trainers always raises a smile. The moment when he spraypaints his plea on the job centre wall is one that inspires. Down to his last nerve, Daniel's frustration boils over in the most creative way possible. Loach makes it clear to his audience that people should not just be numbers in the queue and that the failure to listen to reason often sees good people take drastic measures.
Comedian Dave Johns is stunning as Geordie Daniel. Playing him with a sense of wounded pride and an ever growing disgust, John's perfectly carries across the frustration of the everyday man. Out of touch with society, John's carries across his scenes struggling to learn computers with a deft touch. Hayley Squires, however, is the one who carries our sympathy. A woman yearning to provide, her descent is one that will steal your heart. Loach's desire to cast unknown talents is one that still pays off big time.
I, Daniel Blake is a movie that everyone should study in terms of how people should be treated fairly and equally. It will also make you want to look closely at any future health assessments.
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