Reviews and comment from the Demon Crew - creative writers at De Montfort University, Leicester.

Tuesday, 28 February 2017

People against the machine

 After a string of classic movies like Kes, Ken Loach brings us the deeply moving I,Daniel Blake. This is the film that earned Loach his second Palme d'Or award as well as a BAFTA for the outstanding British film to 2016.

I, Daniel Blake is underpinned by the idea that the benefits system is not jusr a “monumental farce” but that the system is also being used as a political weapon to discourage people from claiming the benefits they need and to which they are entitled. Even though Daniel Blake has a heart condition which prevents him from working, Benefits Office staff him to apply for Job Seekers Allowance and to keep applying for jobs which he can't take, on medical advice. 
 
This film isn't just about politics. It's also about people and their personal relationships. As the system tries to reduce people in need of help to mere numbers, there's an emerging sense of community as the less fortunate and those who have been abused by the system pull together to oppose the featureless machine that threatens to cruch them. 

Thomas Jack

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