I, Daniel Blake

• It uses naturalistic dialogue to create authenticity
• The film is shot on location
• There are no big name actors which makes it more realistic as the audience can relate to them
• The use of handheld cameras creates an intimate feel
• There are no special effects or music used in the film
• Ken Loach has used his own experiences with the welfare system to make this film
• The film was made by BBC Films and Sixteen Films
• The music is minimalist and only plays during emotional scenes
• The film has been praised by critics and won awards at Cannes Film Festival
• Ken Loach's previous films have also tackled social issues such as poverty and inequality
• The film was made by BBC Films and supported by Film4
• I, Daniel Blake was released during Brexit negotiations when there were concerns about immigration and welfare benefits
• The film was released in September 2016
• It had a budget of £5 million
• It was released in September 2016
• What type of film is I, Daniel Blake? Who is it directed by?

  I, Daniel Blake is an independent social realist

  film directed by renowned filmmaker Ken Loach

  (Kes, Raining Stones, Sweet Sixteen etc.).
• How successful was the film?

  It became Ken Loach's largest grossing film at the box office (taking over $8 million), was highly critically acclaimed and generated much debate due to the contemporary social and political issues addressed in the film.
• What types of awards did I,Daniel Blake earn?

  I, Daniel Blake was exhibited at many film festivals, won the Palme d'Or at Cannes, and was nominated for many awards including several BAFTAs.
• Consider the significance of economic factors

  Economic factors including funding are

  extremely significant to this independent British

  co-production. The funding bodies are the BFI

  (through National Lottery Funding) and the BBC.
• How is this film funded differently to other films?

  It is funded through public funding, in comparison to other films funded through media conglomerates.
• Why might vast financial profits be less important for practitioners working in this genre of film?

  The purpose of I, Daniel Blake is to raise awareness for what is happening rather than to make a profit. It is in keeping with the BBC as it informs.
• Where and how are films and their marketing

  most likely to be consumed by audiences?

  Films are most likely to be viewed in a cinema, in I, Daniel Blake, it was premiered in Newcastle instead of London possibly because it is where it was filmed. Marketing is most likely to be consumed by audiences online, I, Daniel Blake did use a twitter hashtag (#idanielblake) and facebook but also used a projector to project quotations onto walls as well as a poster campaign.
• How has the consumption of films changed/ been impacted by the ubiquity of online and social media?

  Films are more likely to be watched online now, social media has allowed opinions of films to be shared easily which may be how I, Daniel Blake became so popular.
• Are audiences now more likely to seek out marketing (e.g. new trailers) online as active consumers?

  Audiences are more likely to be active consumers, however, I, Daniel Blake was more traditionally marketed eg. poster campaign, trailer in cinemas etc.
• How do active audiences impact the relationship between audience and product?

  They are more likely to 'talk back' to the producer and share their opinion on the product creating a stronger relationship between producer and audience.
• Social Context


  I, Daniel Blake addresses contemporary British

  social issues such as poverty, the welfare system and the Work Capability Assessment. The film portrays a group of traditionally underrepresented characters in Newcastle struggling in poverty to gain benefits and support.
• Political context


  I, Daniel Blake conveys a clear left-wing

  political message and criticises specific government policies. Wider economic context and concept of "austerity" (difficult economic conditions created by government measures to reduce public funds). Might be useful in exploring how changes to benefit policy had been justified.
• What other work has Ken Loach done? What is he known for?

  Much of Ken Loach's work has addressed similar

  issues (Cathy Come Home, Raining Stones) and

  he is a social campaigner, known for his socialist

  political views. This is may appeal to audiences who agree with Ken Loach's views.
• Where was the film exhibited?


  The film was exhibited at various film festivals and received a theatrical release in Britain and various other countries (including France, Spain, Brazil and Japan - although not in the USA). It was later released on digital download and DVD/Blu-ray.
• Consider the effect of individual producers on media industries:

  Ken Loach has significance as a practitioner in British and Global cinema. Loach has been able to repeatedly secure funding for social realist films. His works have been able to shape the genre of independent social realist films.
• Consider the extent to which I, Daniel Blake can

  be described as a mainstream product.

  Loach is a well- known and successful figure in the UK and Europe but I would not say his work is mainstream, the audience for social realist films are small in comparison to American action films. Ken Loach is also challenging governmental policy, therefore also may be challenging mainstream opinions.
• How does Ken Loach help to gain an audience?

  There exists a pre-sold audience of Ken Loach's twitter followers and this may give him license to make films that might not otherwise secure finance.Loach has a long history of directing work in the genre (Kes from 1969) and, unlike some film genres which have been impacted by technical developments.
• Consider how media organisations maintain a variety of audiences, nationally and globally

  Ken Loach is popular in the social realist genre.
• There are specific and distinct potential audiences that the film is attempting to target through its marketing:

  The trailer explores specific governmental policy which also may suggest audiences will have an awareness of political and social issues in the UK. Therefore targetting a well-educated audience.
• What does the having the only popular 'star' in I, Daniel Blake show about the audience?

  The only specific "star" identified in the trailer using intertitles is the director Ken Loach. Loach's work whilst having broad appeal sits firmly within the niche of social realism. Suggesting a small niche audience.
• How does I, Daniel Blake link in with Curran and Seaton's 'Power and media industries theory'?

  The trailer seems to offer an experience that sits outside the logic of profit and power and may arguably also demonstrate a level of variety and creativity that does not reflect Curran and Seaton's ideas about the impact of media concentration. As well as it being funded by the BBC, therefore challenges the idea that companies are driven by profit.
• How does it challenge George Gerbner's Cultivation Theory?


  It is different from normal repeated patterns about people on benefits from things such as tabloid newspapers.
• How does it link in with Clay Shirky's 'End of Audience' theory?


  It has a twitter account 'i,danielblake' enabling audiences to 'talk back'.
• How does it link in with Stuart Hall's 'Reception' theory?

  Audiences would take the preferred meaning from the film that the Benefits system needs to change.
• How may it link in with Albert Bandura's 'Bobo doll' theory?


  Implants ideas into the mind of the audience about how the benefits system needs to change.