I, Ken Loach: here’s why the acclaimed film director is still angry after all these years

Last Updated: October 21, 2016By
Ken Loach.

Ken Loach.

On the day I, Daniel Blake goes on general release in the UK, here’s the second article Vox Political is reblogging to publicise the film – an interview with director Ken Loach from the Bath Chronicle.

This Writer cannot help but wonder whether Mr Loach’s comments about the tick-box, points-based system used to assess sickness and disability benefit claimants will do more to raise the often-terminal unfairness of the government’s behaviour with the general public.

On the day after it was revealed that disability hate crime has increased massively, this message cannot penetrate the public consciousness soon enough.

If you thought film director Ken Loach was angry before, with his work such as Cathy Come Home, Kes and Poor Cow revealing an all too hidden slice of life, now he is raging.

His latest film I, Daniel Blake is a gritty portrayal of a flawed welfare system and gleaned from the real life stories of people experiencing life on the breadline.

And, from talking to him, it is clear he is angry at a benefits system he says sets people up to fail.

I, Daniel Blake won the prestigious Palme d’Or at Cannes this year with the director attacking the ‘dangerous project of austerity’ when he accepted the award.

“I’m pleased there is so much interest in the film,” he said.

“I hope that people will recognise the impact that the state is having on people who are in need of financial support and being put through a system in which they are almost set up to fail.”

“A classic case in point is a doctor can say you are not fit to work but the state insists on assessing you again – they have picked an American multi-national to do the assessing; they are not doctors but health professionals using a series of questions that they reel off.

“They use a points system that makes a sick man or woman have to keep looking for work – it is consistently cruel.”

Source: I, Ken Loach: the acclaimed film director talks to Bath Weekend | Bath Chronicle

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4 Comments

  1. jeffrey davies October 21, 2016 at 5:40 am - Reply

    you only have to read mo stewarts write up on unum and gov to see the damage its caused

  2. rupertrlmitchell October 21, 2016 at 7:15 am - Reply

    The important “Tick Box” in which I am interested right now is the one where the majority of decent people in this country tick VOTE FOR JEREMY CORBYN AS PM

  3. Jenny Hambidge October 22, 2016 at 11:06 am - Reply

    I have searched for cinemas where this film is to be shown in the UK and can find only a handful throughout. None in Wales that I can find. Anyone found a listing for it?

  4. Jenny Hambidge October 22, 2016 at 10:49 pm - Reply

    Have found one! The Arts Centre Aberyswyth University! Fri28th October – Sunday 6th Nov

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