THE red carpet was rolled out for the critically-acclaimed British filmmaker Ken Loach when he came to the region to present his latest award-winning film.
I, Daniel Blake, which was set and made in and around Newcastle and has been screened all around the world, had its "People's Premier" at Newcastle’s Tyneside Cinema on Tuesday night.
Film director Ken Loach and screenwrite Paul Laverty speak about the the film I, Daniel Blake before the People's Premier at Tyneside Cinema Picture: GAVIN ENGELBRECHT
The veteran director - behind classic films such as Kes and and The Wind that Shakes the Barley - was joined by the film’s lead actors Dave Johns and Hayley Squires, producer Rebecca O’Brien, and screenwriter Paul Laverty for the prestigious event.
I, Daniel Blake, which has received unanimous praise from critics, stars local stand-up comedian Dave Johns as Daniel Blake, a middle-aged widower, who after working his whole life as a carpenter finds himself in need of help from the state following a near-fatal heart attack.
Daniel finds himself trapped in a sea of red-tape when it’s decided he is ineligible for invalidity benefits, and in an effort to survive he’s forced to deal with the complicated - and at times absurd - processes of the welfare state.
Film director Ken Loach (left) along with members of the film cast meets members of the Black Triangle campaign Picture: GAVIN ENGELBRECHT
The Palme d'Or-winning film is held up as a stark reminder of the injustices of contemporary Britain, the inhumanity of the system, and the real human suffering which is often ignored in the media.
On choosing to set the film in Newcastle, the director said: “Newcastle is culturally very rich. It’s like Liverpool, Glasgow, big cities on the coast.
“They are great visually, cinematic, the culture is very expressive and the language is very strong. There’s a great sense of resistance; generations of struggle have developed a strong political consciousness.”
Speaking at conference before the screening, Loach railed against "right-wing" elements in the Labour party and the benefits system.
I, Daniel Black producer Rebecca O'Brien, screenwriter Paul Laverty, actors Hayley Squires and Dave Johns and film director Ken Loach Picture: GAVIN ENGELBRECHT
He said: "The only way we will change it is through strong trade unions - and a strong political voice that will change the rules.
"You have got to get in and support (Labour leader Jeremy) Corbyn. It's the only way we'll to do it, as well as join a trade union, as well as getting MPs that will stop undermining him - because there is no help from the mass media. We have to do this from the grassroots up."
On the premiere screening Tyneside Cinema chief executive, Thomas Peutz said: “We are thrilled to welcome Ken Loach to the Tyneside Cinema to present this powerful and timely film in the place that he made it.
“This is a vital film of our times and hugely relevant to many people living in the North-East, so it is fantastic that they will have the opportunity to see it here and get a chance to hear about it from its renowned director.”
I, Daniel Blake will be on general release from Friday, October 21, and tickets are on sale now at www.tynesidecinema.co.uk/i-daniel-blake.
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