I, DANIEL BLAKE-CASE STUDY
KEN LOACH
Ken Loach is English filmmaker, he originally worked as an actor in regional theater companies and then became a director for BBC Television. His 10 contributions to the BBC’s Wednesday play anthology series includes the docudramas Up the Junction , Cathy Come Home and In Two Minds. They portray working-class people in conflict with the authorities above them. Loach is a member of the Labour party, in 2015 he endorsed Jeremy Corbyn’s Labour leadership campaign and in 2016; Loach’s one hour documentary ‘In Conversation with Jeremy Corbyn’ was released during the second leadership election.
Ken Loach is a notable filmmaker because in his films he discusses real and hard hitting subjects that occur in everyday life for example he focuses on portray the problems faced by lower/working class people, also Loach’s film Kes was voted the seventh greatest British film of the 20th century in a poll by the British Film Institute.He is also a social campaigner for most of his career, believes the current criteria for claiming benefits in the UK is a situation designed to frustrate and humiliate the claimant to such an extent that they drop out of the system and stop pursuing their right to ask for support if necessary. His films are mainly to show ordinary people and their dilemmas.
I, DANIEL BLAKE
I, Daniel Blake is a 2016 drama film directed by Ken Loach and by Paul Laverty. The film I, Daniel Blake is about the main character Daniel Blake who is played by Dave Johns, the film follows the story and struggle of Blake after he is denied employment and support allowance despite his doctor finding him unfit for work.
WHAT ISSUES DOES THE FILM CHALLENGE?
The film I, Daniel Blake challenges many issues however mainly focuses on the toxic climate of the British welfare and benefit system. It challenges this issue by showing the difficulty and struggle people have while on benefits, while also showing the toxic nature that occurs when people are rejected benefits after seeming unfit for them which may not be the case or reason such as Daniel Blake he is refused support allowance and is told to go find a job however his doctors inform him that he is ill -suited or unable to work . The film also dives in on the effect it can have on people after being refused their benefits this is shown through the character Katie who is a single mother Daniel be-friends. The film challenges more issues through the character Katie as she is a single mother who has recently moved to Newcastle from a homeless shelter in London, she meets Daniel Blake after she is sanctioned after arriving late to her jobcentre appointment, later in the film we she the she goes through after she is caught shoplifting from a supermarket and is offered a job as a prostitute which she accepts.
WHAT GROUP OF PEOPLE DOES THE FILM REPRESENT?
The film I, Daniel Blake represents lower-class people in conflict with the authorities above them. The film deepens in the representation of the most vulnerable and the poorest people and how they are treated by our government with brutality that is considered disgraceful; the film itself reflects the destructive environment that has built up around the welfare system in recent years and reviles the awful realities of the country’s benefit system.
HOW DOES THE FILM SHOW IDEOLOGIES?
I, Daniel Blake has many ideologies for example the film deepens within his struggle with the Department for work and Pensions as they decide and reject his appeal for sickness benefits after having a heart attack. The film reveals the ideologies of the toxic climate that has developed around the welfare system as Daniel Blake’s job seekers allowance is stopped, after the DWP tell him to look for jobs however his doctors have said he is unfit for work.The film also shows the struggle of Daniel Blake’s appeal against DWP.
WHAT IS MEANT BY THE TERM ‘AUSTERITY’?
The term Austerity stands for difficult economic conditions that are created by the government measures to reduce public expenditure.It also stands for severity of attitude.
HOW IS ‘AUSTERITY’ RELEVANT TO THE FILM?
Austerity is relevant to the film because it stands for difficult economic conditions that are created by government measures to reduce public expenditure, and I, Daniel Blake has the theme of difficult economic conditions that have been placed by the government.The film talks and shows the struggle and difficulty people have with the benefit system which is run by the government, the film dives into a person’s life and their own struggle after their job seeker’s allowance is stopped.Over all the film exposes the truth about the ‘welfare’ system and how difficult the government can make certain situations.
HOW DOES THE FILM CONFORM TO THE BBC’S MANDATE?
BBC VALUES:
- Trust the foundation
- Put audiences first
- Take pride in delivering quality content and value for money
- Represent each other and celebrate diversity
- Creativity is the life blood of their orginisation
- To provide important news and information to help people understand and engage with the world around them
- To reflect the United Kingdom
- To support learning for people of all ages
- EDUCATE, INFORM AND ENTERTAIN
The film conforms to the BBC’s mandate as the film shows the struggle and frustration people go through in the toxic climate of the welfare system; the film puts in perspective of what it is like for people on benefits or for people who are rejected it shows the difficult time people go through this further question right wing ideology as it is towards capitalism and the idea of ‘you get what you work for’, however this isn’t the case for people on benefits as some may not be able to work such as Daniel Blake.
Therefore the film is towards the left wing ideology as it helps people understand what happens it informs them on situations of other people and may help them understand why certain people take the actions they do for example in the film Katie becomes a prostitute to try and provide for her children , the film is further left wing as it is a BBC film and they are liberal meaning their values are to educate, entertain and inform people and that is what this film does it educates people on the struggle that occurs in the corrupt welfare system, the BBC also represent diverse communities which the film also shows.
The film also links to the BBC’s mandate as it provide important information about current situations and how the government are controlling certain situations.The film also represents the different type of diversity in the UK, the film focuses on the poorer side of the United Kingdom and the struggles them people face rather than the wealthier side
WHY ARE THE LACK OF PROFITS NOT AS IMPORTANT FOR THIS TYPE OF FILM?
The lack of profits isn’t as important for this type of film as it is an independent film meaning they focus more on the telling a story and there is a focus on the narrative than profit and the sub-genre is the selling point rather than the stars.
The film also part of the BBC meaning it’s purpose it to solely educate, inform and entertain their audience and to represent diverse communities, also the BBC is a public serive broadcaster meaning to is paid for via TV licence which is a tax paid by the public, therefore the BBC is paid by the public for the public meaning the don’t rely on profits they just provide quality content which applies to their audience and this is what I, Daniel Blake does, it is for the public and solely based on telling the story therefore the lack of profit isn’t important.
I, Daniel Blake is a low budget social realist film , funded by the BFI and BBC. It was filmed largely on location (hospitals,Job centre, ect) features lesser known actors and does not rely on special effects.
WHERE AND HOW ARE IMS AND THEIR MARKETING MOST LIKELY TO BE CONSUMED BY AUDIENCES?
Films marketing is most likely to be consumed with online audiences, meaning that the audience will come across multiple marketing techniques on their social media’s which could be features in an online newsletter about film festivals or having the trailer appear on YouTube or other platforms, or even having the premier where the film was set or in local areas.
HOW HAS THE CONSUMPTION CHANGED/BEEN IMPACTED BY THE UBIQUITY OF ONLINE AND SOCIAL MEDIA?
Personally, I think the consumption has been impacted by social media in a positive way, by this i mean that social media has many different online platforms and has millions of people on these platforms daily. Therefore, if a film is marketed online it will be consumed by more people and peek to a larger audience and make them interested.
ARE AUDIENCES NOW MORE LIKELY TO TO SEEK OUT MARKETING (NEW TRAILERS) ONLINE AS ACTIVE CONSUMERS?
I think audiences are more likely to seek out marketing online as they majority of people find out about new’s stories and films through online activity and social media. Also the audiences of films or trailers may be invested in what the have watched causing them to be part of a fandom which give more awareness of the film; or they even may tweet about the trailer or blog about what their thoughts were and how they disliked or liked it.
WHAT DO YOU THINK THE AUDIENCE FOR THE FILM WOULD BE?
Personally, I think the audience is a mixture between a sophisticated audience and a political minded audience.
Firstly, I believe it I, Daniel Blake is for a sophisticated audience because they have a worldly knowledge and refinement and savoir-faire, and savoir-faire means the ability to act or speak appropriate in social situations, and the film itself speaks out on social situations which is the corrupt benefits system.Therefore by a sophisticated audience watching the film they could bring more awareness of the situation and speak freely about it.
I also think the film is for a political minded audience as the film challenges the governments placement in current situations, the film is more to the left wing due to Loach being part of the labour party; the film also has ideologies of socialism and peoples well-being and Loach has also been invloved with Jeremy Corbyn’s campaigns, however they film make have convey some right wing ideologies as Loach wasn’t always a left wing supporter. In he younger year, at school he represented the Tories in a mock election and his farther was a working class Tory therefore even though he is now a left wing supporter there will still be some right wing perspective.
WOULD THE AUDIENCE BE LIKELY TO SEE TRADITIONAL MARKETING( POSTER ECT) OR ONLINE MEDIUMS #IDanielBlake?
I think the audience would see a mixture as the film does have a poster and it was marketed,however I think the marketing and audience view point is towards online mediums. The film was funded by the BBC and BFI, and the BBC has a huge online platform which goes across radio shows, YouTube channel and their website; therefore they can promote the film on all their platforms. Also has technology has developed when people watch a film they take to social media to talk about their thoughts and reviews of the film and as this happens the film get more recognition and more marketing.
THE AUDIENCE MAY BE DIVERSE SO THINK ABOUT THE DIFFERENT TIME OF AUDIENCES AND HOW THEY WOULD RESPOND TO THE FILM?
I think the film would appeal to an audience who resonates with the film, meaning the have been or are currently going through the same situation as Daniel Blake or Katy. This audience may be really touched by the film and feel relieved that someone is speaking out about the mistreatment and the brutality that occurs in the benefits system; the film can be seen as their voice and can help them with their story.
The film may also appeal to a right wing audience by this I mean the film challenges their perspectives of the government and it may question their choices in who they support and what they believe in. The film might make them open their eyes and question the whole ‘You get what you work for’ strategic, and how that isn’t the case and how people may not be able to work but then are forced by the government.
Finally, the film may also appeal to a socialist audience, people who fight for justice in the welfare system or against misguidance/rejection that people have had due to the government. The film might help them spread the word of what is going on and even by them watching the film they could tweet about it making it well known.The film may also appeal to people who are unaware of the situation therefore learning about it and possibly acting against it.
Personally, I think the audience would most likely see the film at independent film festivals, also on TV as it is founded by the BBC and BFI and also of online platforms.
WHY MIGHT KEN LOACH FIND IT EASIER TO SECURE FUNDING FOR SUCH A FILM?
Ken Loach may find it easier to secure funding for I,Daniel Blake due to him making films with similar backgrounds for example his film ‘Cathy Come Home’ which is about a women who faces a downward social climb thanks to her country’s rigid and problem ridden welfare system. Therefore it may be easier for Loach to get secure funding because he is reliable in this genre of films and he knows how to get these situations across and knows what he is talking about.
The genre of films he does are mostly drama. Ken Loach’s films challenge the governments welfare system and situations to do with homelessness, he also deepens into subjects about abuse that occurs in schools and at home which is shown in his film Kes.
TO WHAT EXTENT IS LOACH A MAINSTREAM FILMMAKER?
Ken Loach is somewhat a mainstream filmmaker as two of his films have featured for cinema release and one of them is his film Kes. However that is only to an extent as mainstream films/filmmakers rely on the profit that they make they also have huge budgets for their films however Ken Loach’s I, Daniel Blake took in 15.8 million USD unlike mainstream films such as Jaws which made 470.7 million USD at the box office therefore I, Daniel Blake being Loach’s largest grossing Im. Also Ken Loach worked with the BBC which doesn’t rely on profit but rely on making quality content therefore by him working with a company that doesn’t care or isn’t reliant on profit further shows he isn’t really a mainstream filmmaker.
WHAT DO HIS FILMS HAVE IN COMMON?
His films have many things in common for example the genre most but nearly all of his films a drama’s. His films also have similar ideologies such as difficulty with the benefit system, homelessness, economic struggles, problems with family, abuse/aggression. Loach’s films all contain similar situations however they are realistic and the themes in the film do occur in real life situations, therefore his film apply to audiences that have also been through these situations. The genre of his films are British social realist films.
ARE HIS FILMS IDEOLOGICAL?
His films are ideological as they are based on relating situations within a system of ideas that link to economic and political theories. For example is film ‘Sorry We Missed You’ has the ideology of economic problems as the story is about his family fighting against debt since the 2008 financial crash.Also linking back to the film I, Daniel Blake that has ideologies of the toxic climate the benefit system has and how difficult situations can be when you are rejected job alowence.
WHAT DOES THIS SAY ABOUT THE AUDIENCE?
The ideologies that are incorporated in his films tell us that the audience of these films may have been in situations similar to the films and they may help them cope or think of ways they can get out if the situations that they are in. The audience may also be outsiders people who haven’t been through these situation but may what to help with awareness or to help the people who are in these difficult situations.
THE GENRE SOCIAL REALIST
Social realist is a genre of a film that focuses on topical issues alive in a modern society which is represented by different ideologies. These such as money,drugs, prostitution and sex are quiet usual in modern contemporary social realism films as well as class, religion and political views.
In 1969 ,Ken Loach released the film ‘Kes’ which is a social realist film as it focuses Billy Casper who is a tormented working-class boy who is subjected to abuse both at school and home.The son of a single mother, Billy’s existence is mostly bleak until he takes up an interest in falconry and begins training a kestrel, however Billy encounters his hard scrabble life and the harsh environment which is prove to be a challenge for the boys. This film reveals difficulty this young boy has within his home life with his single mother and the abuse that occurs at school.
Similarly, Ken Loach has still stuck to his social realist approach to his films as 2012 , ‘The Angel’s Share’ is about a troubled young farther who barley avoids jail and, after visiting a whisky distillery he is inspired to find a way out of his hopeless life. This film conveys the themes a struggled life and the difficulty he faces as he can’t stay out of trouble but then shows the hope and faith the character has as he tries to turn his life around.Therefore still marketing to the audience of that film genre by still incorporating the themes that run through that type of genre.
THE TRAILER REFERENCES THE BBC, BFI AND THE PALME D’OR. TO WHAT EXTENT DO THESE REFERENCES SUGGEST AN ASSUMED EDUCATION AND LEVEL OF MEDIA LITERACY IN THE TARGET AUDIENCE?
The target audience for I, Daniel Blake is 16+ as its a quiet mature topic that young people may not understand or know the importance of it.
The trailer references the BBC suggesting that the audience won’t need a high level of media literacy as the majority of people know what the BBC stands for (British Broadcasting Corporation) and know that it is payed by the TV license. However there may be an assumption for an education level of media understanding when Palme d’Or appears on screen as people may not know what it is or what it stands for, however the film may appeal to and audience who does have a high level of media literacy as they will know that Palme d’Or is the highest prize award at the Cannes Film Festival.Also by showing these in the beginning of the trailer it may draw interest to the film for example by someone seeing it have Palme d’Ore at the beginning the film must be good to win that award therefore making them watch the film.
WOULD SOME AUDIENCES WATCH THE FILM BECAUSE OF KEN LOACH’S ASSOCIATION ALONE?
I personally think some audiences would watch the film because it is produced by Ken Loach, as fans tend to watch films their favorite filmmaker had produce. Therefore if Loach’s fans see that he has relseaed a new film they will watch it because he produced it or may watch it because they like the style of work he does.
Also liberals and socialists may also watch the film for the association of Ken Loach as they may support what he believes in and stand by him. They may watch the film to see what story he is portraying and by doing this they can then get behind the cause and help spread awareness or campaign about the situations that the film is showing.
Molly Goldthorpe Media 