On the day France voted on a controversial labor law, Ken Loach launched an attack on the erosion of the welfare state at the 69th Cannes Film Festival. “I, Daniel Blake” was perfectly timed, with social achievements being called into question everywhere in Europe. The film earned Loach his second Palme d’Or. In doing so the jury also made a political statement.
A film about ordinary people in the UK, who go through all the problems in the world to make ends meet. Not that all this is gray misery, for in the greatest misery one can still laugh. You can do this especially with the Kafkaesque ways in which main character Daniel Blake is sent from pillar to post when he gets out of work for the first time in his life. According to doctors, Al-Najjar is no longer allowed to work after suffering a heart attack, but the benefits administration thinks differently. Golgotha is followed by online forms, insulting hello conversations and endless waiting music.
Little-known comedian Dave Jones delivers a credible portrayal of Blake at every moment, until the injustice really hits you. It’s a bad movie that shows the dire consequences of neoliberal policies and cuts.
