I, Daniel Blake (2016)

After having suffered a heart-attack, a 59-year-old carpenter must fight the bureaucratic forces of the system in order to receive Employment and Support Allowance.

Directors:

Ken Loach, Laura Obiols

Writer:

Paul Laverty (screenplay)

Stars:

Dave Johns, Hayley Squires, Sharon Percy

Won 1 BAFTA Film Award. Another 29 wins & 38 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Dave Johns	...	Daniel Blake
Hayley Squires	...	Katie
Briana Shann	...	Daisy
Dylan McKiernan	...	Dylan (as Dylan Phillip McKiernan)
Kate Rutter	...	Ann
Sharon Percy	...	Sheila
Kema Sikazwe	...	China
Steven Richens	...	Piper
Amanda Payne	...	Employment Support Allowance Assessor
Chris Mcglade	...	At the Sawmill (as Chris McGlade)
Shaun Prendergast	...	At the Sawmill
Gavin Webster	...	At the Sawmill
Sammy T. Dobson	...	Specialist Nurse
Mickey Hutton	...	Neighbour with dog
Colin Coombs	...	Postman

Storyline

A 59 year old carpenter recovering from a heart attack befriends a single mother and her two kids as they navigate their way through the impersonal, Kafkaesque benefits system. With equal amounts of humor, warmth and despair, the journey is heartfelt and emotional until the end.

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Plot Keywords:

bureaucracy | lack of money | psychological violence | united kingdom | great britain | 

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Taglines:

A masterful cry for human decency from Ken Loach.

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Genres:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language

Did You Know?

Trivia

From the end credits: «A very special thanks to workers within the DWP [Department for Work and Pensions] and PCS [Public and Commercial Services] Union who provided us with invaluable information but who must remain anonymous.»

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Goofs

The Job Centre Adviser says that Daniel Blake can come off JSA at his own request without a job. This is wrong you cannot come off JSA until you have a job to go to.

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Quotes

Daniel: We should all be drinking a lot more bloody coffee.

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Crazy Credits

A very special thanks to workers within the DWP [Department for Work and Pensions] and PCS [Public and Commercial Services] Union who provided us with invaluable information but who must remain anonymous. [Government edict that public employees in these departments cannot speak publicly about their work.]

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Connections

Referenced in Evening Urgant: Anna Ardova/Sóley (2016)

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Soundtracks

Sailing By
(1963)
Composed by Ronald Binge
Performed by The Alan Perry/William Gardner Orchestra as The Perry/Gardner Orchestra
Conducted by Ronald Binge
Licensed courtesy of Mozart Edition (Great Britain) Ltd.

User Reviews

Gritty but compulsive

I left the cinema with a lot to think about after viewing this film. A gritty and realistic drama portraying the processes and outcomes of claimants caught up in today's benefit system, sometimes with dreadful outcomes.

Every public servant, politician and voluntary sector worker should be expected to watch this film. A lot of it is not easy viewing, and certainly not suitable for a fun night out, but the message it gives about today's society is compelling.

I think a message should be included on-screen but before the credits suggesting people contact the Citizens' Advice Bureau if they are experiencing any of the issues raised in the film.

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Page Official site [Germany]

Country:

UK France Belgium

Language:

English

Release Date:

9 June 2017 (USA)

Also Known As:

I, Daniel Blake

Filming Locations:

London, England, UK

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$18,682, 4 June 2017

Gross USA:

$260,354

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$15,793,051

Company Credits

Production Co:

Sixteen Films, Why Not Productions, Wild Bunch

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1