I, Daniel Blake

Question 1

Context of the film

Answer 1

Independent UK/French production
Received funding from the British film institute and BBC films
Distributed by entertainment one (eOne)
Produced 2016
British social realism
Sixteen films
Ken Loach
Released 2017
Received rating: R in the UK

Question 2

Independent film context

Answer 2

Based on true stories
Based on books/existing tv franchises to help minimise financial risk
Raise money from a variety of sources
May collaborate on the production by sharing industry skills and financial resources
Secure funding from private investors
Less straight forward narrative
No big named starts
Thought provoking

Question 3

Challenges with independent films

Answer 3

Lower budgets
Struggle to get a distributor
Local, national and international film festivals
Produced outside major studios
Distributors will want a % of the box office return, a fee or both
Cinemas more reluctant to screen

Question 4

Funding of I, Daniel Blake

Answer 4

From the BFI and BBC films
BFI through national lottery funding
$8 million at the box office
Filmed on location in existing regional buildings
Budget of £3.5 million
$12.45 million worldwide
$4.27 million in the UK
$6.4 million in France

Question 5

Premiers

Answer 5

Grassroots campaign
Newcastle
North/South divide
eOne organised a series of community screenings
Projections in urban areas of quotes from the film
Social media generated a viral campaign
“WeAreAllDanielBlake”

Question 6

Regulation

Answer 6

BBFC awarded it a 15 because of the scenes and language
Young audiences wouldn’t understand/appreciate
Possible lower certificate to draw in a younger audience
Ken Loach didn’t want to get rid of the language as it felt more real
Not gritty enough otherwise or compelling

Question 7

Theorists to link

Answer 7

Curran and Seaton