I, Daniel Blake — U.S. Trailer

added: Fri, Oct 14th '16

At 80, Ken Loach is no spring chicken. But that doesn't necessarily mean the award-winning British filmmaker has been put out to pasture. Despite recent rumors of retirement, Loach is back this year with another socially conscious British drama that firmly touches on the current issues of public welfare.

"I, Daniel Blake" stars English comedian Dave Johns, in a poignantly nuanced performance, as the title character, a 59-year-old, blue-collar carpenter who, after suffering a heart attack, is placed on welfare for the first time in his life. Now unemployed and unemployable, Daniel befriends a young, struggling single mother of two (played by Hayley Squires; A Royal Night Out) as they try together to navigate the frustrating bureaucracy of the welfare system.

Loach once again demonstrates a keen ability to tell stories of working-class anguish without being overly sensational or melodramatic (see: "My Name Is Joe" or "Kes"). Perhaps, that's why he was rewarded at Cannes this year with his second Palme d'Or win with "I, Daniel Blake."

The film, which opens in the UK this month, will make its way to the States on December 23rd. In the meantime, check out the newly-released U.S. trailer, above.

synopsis:
Winner of the Palme d'Or at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival, the latest from legendary director Ken Loach is a gripping, human tale about the impact one man can make. Gruff but goodhearted, Daniel Blake (Dave Johns) is a man out of time: a widowed woodworker who's never owned a computer, he lives according to his own common sense moral code. But after a heart attack leaves him unable to work and the state welfare system fails him, the stubbornly self-reliant Daniel must stand up and fight for his dignity, leading a one-man crusade for compassion that will transform the lives of a struggling single mother (Hayley Squires) and her two children. Graced with humor and heart, I, Daniel Blake is a moving, much-needed reminder of the power of empathy from one of the world's greatest living filmmakers.

directed by Ken Loach

starring Dave Johns, Hayley Squires, Sharon Percy, Briana Shann

release date December 23, 2016 (in select theaters)

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I Daniel Blake