Diredcted by Ken Loach (The Wind That Shakes the Barley; Kes; Jimmy's Hall; The Angels' Share) and starring Dave Johns (various tv series) and Hayley Squires (A Royal Night Out; Blood Cells; Away).
Drama; 100 mins; 12+
True to many of Ken Loach's films, "I, Daniel Blake" also follows a socialist theme, this time following Daniel (Dave Johns), a middle-aged carpenter who is looking to get back to work following a heart attack. His doctor tells him that he is not yet fit for work but, in order to claim benefits, he is told that he must sign on and demonstrate that he is looking for work. He lives by himself - his wife recently died - and he does not appear to have any savings; he also reveals he has no pension. So, his only source of income would be state support, specifically Employment Support Allowance.
He gets frustrated beyond belief by the rigid structure of the form-filling required by the state services, and becomes more and more exasperated when informed that some forms are only available online - he admits that he is "computer illiterate". He also writes up a CV - after begrudgingly attending a CV writing class - and hands it out to prospective employers - he has been asked to provide evidence that he has tried to look for a job. However, when offered an opportunity he turns it down as he knows his doctor has steadfastly forbidden him to work.
Stuck between a rock and a hard place, Dave witnesses a single mother, Katie (Hayley Squires), with two young children, who is experiencing similar challenges with the job centre. He befriends her and helps fix things in her new accommodation and she cooks for him in return. She tries to find work as a cleaner and puts her children before herself. Both are good people, far from being scroungers, and want to work but are blocked by the system.
The character development is achieved brilliantly on this drama that at times comes across as more a fly-on-the-wall documentary, so realistics are many of the sceens. In many ways it reminds of the tv series Hill Street Blues that, also at times, gave the audience the impression that the drama was not being staged at all. This works too all the way as Dave tries to battle his way through the appeal system and a call centre.
This film is both dramatic and emotional in equal measure, with scenes when Dave's character must have felt the whole world was against him, with strong acting performances, but it is the direction that must take the most credit. A realistic portrayl of life in the UK (the film was set in Newcastle) where people are dependent on benefits and facing faceless
bureaucracy, often through no falt of their own.
This film won the Palme d'Or at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival. One of the most powerful and best films of 2016...
