Film Industry: I, Daniel Blake

 1) What is independent cinema and how is it different to Hollywood blockbusters?

Independent films are very different to Hollywood blockbusters like Black Widow. The style of ‘indie’ films is very different to Hollywood blockbusters, as the directors and producers have more creative input – it’s being made in their vision, not in the vision of studio bosses.

2) What is I, Daniel Blake about?

Daniel Blake, 59, who has worked as a joiner most of his life in the North East of England needs help from the State for the first time ever following an illness. He crosses paths with a single mother Katie and her two young children, Daisy and Dylan. Katie’s only chance to escape a one roomed homeless hostel in London is to accept a flat some 300 miles away. Daniel  stands up and fights for his dignity, leading a one-man crusade for compassion that will transform the lives of a struggling single mother (Katie) and her two children. It is a drama that has a strong political message about Britain in an age of government austerity.

3) Who directed I, Daniel Blake and why is this important?

Ken Loach has been a director for over 50 years. He’s never had Hollywood success, mainly because he’s never wanted it. Loach’s style is social realism – telling stories that represent the lives of ordinary working-class people and the social issues they face, for example unemployment, poverty and addiction. His films also have political themes. Rather than create films for entertainment or money, his goal is to expose and educate people to the issues that many people in society face.

4) How was I, Daniel Blake promoted to an audience? List at least three different methods used by the film's marketing campaign and how they targeted their audience.

• A partnership was set up with Trinity Mirror (Daily Mirror owners) to run a marketing campaign based on the film. The Daily Mirror traditionally supports the Labour Party and left-wing causes so therefore agreed with the main message of the film.
• The film also paired up with NomadiX Media's iProjector to create an outdoor campaign using quotes from the film.
• Ken Loach and the writer did interviews with newspapers and magazines to promote the key messages of the film (see clip from Economist below).

5) What unusual or creative marketing methods were used to get audiences talking about the film?

a video was released using members of the public and politicians that supported the film’s message. This was highlighted with the hashtag #WeAreAllDanielBlake.

6) What was the estimated production budget for I, Daniel Blake and how much did it make at the box office?

 Around £2 million. $11 million in the box office worldwide.

7) What were some of the companies involved in funding or producing I, Daniel Blake? 

The British film institute and BBC films.

8) What is the name of the film regulator in the UK and what was the age rating for I, Daniel Blake?

The BBFC. The age rating was 15

9) What aspects of the film contributed to the film's age rating?

The film was rated 15 because of its strong use of language.

10) Finally, considering everything you have learned about I, Daniel Blake, do you think the film was a success? Explain your answer in a well developed paragraph. Try and compare it to Black Widow if you can.

I think it was a success. Even though it wasn't a Hollywood blockbuster like Black Widow, the film would be considered very good because of its realism and good story.