I, Daniel Blake (Ken Loach, 2016): UK I France I Belgium

Reviewed by Hassan Kandil. Viewed at AFI Fest 2016.

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I really admired the work of Director Ken Loach in the movie “I, Daniel Blake”. Filming the movie, Loach attempted to portray and show how the issues of everyday common people – that may seem inferior – could be life changing to others. It is a story we’ve all heard of, one that is not bound by neither space nor time. The challenges Daniel Blake as well as other main characters face, are hurdles we all are familiar with as a society even since the Old Ages. The story of “I, Daniel Blake”, is a story about illness, poverty, and honor. Daniel Blake is a 59 year old man who has been recently diagnosed with a health problem. Unable to work – due to government guidelines concerning work qualification – Daniel has yet to find means to support himself both medically and financially. Throughout the movie, Daniel struggles to get government support even after they had forced him out of his life-long hard working career as a carpenter. Standing in line along others awaiting their faith, Daniel met with a struggling single mother to which he befriended and offered her all he has, if he had it. Throughout the movie Loach highlights these mighty challenges millions have to face each day, and shows the audience that even though what one might be facing is common, it is still significant and worth fighting your life for. In a showcase of nobility, Daniel – who owns nothing – stands by a mother and her two children, when society and government have abandoned them altogether. Amazing movie from Loach reminding us all about what it means to stand together when the dark approaches, and how the most helpless can still offer help. For me, this movie is a story of sacrifice, suffering, and unconditional love in a harsh world controlled by the art of governing.

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Published:
11.15.16 / 5pm
Category:
AFI Filmfest 2016, Films