There aren’t many filmmakers that match up to the likes of Ken Loach and even fewer that have such a socially critical directing style. He is without a doubt one of the greatest British filmmakers of all time. And now, with I, Daniel Blake, Ken Loach has won the Palme d’Or – the highest prize awarded at the Cannes Film Festival.
I, Daniel Blake follows the story of (surprise surprise) Daniel Blake, a carpenter who recently suffered a serious heart attack and requires state benefits whilst he’s out of work. However, due to austerity measures implemented by the Tory government, he has his benefit payments stopped as he is deemed fit to work by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). His doctors, however, say otherwise.
We follow Daniel through the bureaucratic jungle of the DWP, Job Centre and Job Seekers Allowance. All is not lost, however, when he befriends a single mother of two from London who is in a similarly desperate situation.
Ken Loach does not hold back on his feelings about the Tory government. This film is one of the most important films of the last few years as it takes a scathing look at the reality of austerity and the effect it has on ordinary people. It shows that people are not just a number on a screen or a statistic on the news, they are human beings and deserve to be treated as such.
Highly emotive and a masterpiece of socially critical cinema, I, Daniel Blake is Ken Loach is at his best. The film is available to view now at HOME cinema.
By Adam Taylor It’s time to post your top artists to show how cool and different you are. Spotify Wrapped for 2025 has finally dropped. This stat-loaded list of listening habits gets everyone excited, revealing top artists, songs, podcasts, music genres, and hours listened – which can be a bit concerning… Spotify adds new features…
Featured image: Suzy Hazelwood aAh! Magazine’s Literature and Creative Student Editors are delighted to announce our first online call for submissions for the 2025/26 academic year. This series invites creative writing students and visual artists to respond to the theme ‘Hometown’, offering the opportunity to showcase their work online. Manchester is a hometown for thousands, and simply…
Featured image and photography: Beck McNally Gary ‘Mani’ Mounfield – a name that many Mancunian music-lovers will know well, died on 20 November this year. No official cause of death has been released to the public. The renowned bassist of The Stone Roses, and later Primal Scream, was a hugely influential musician – particularly in…
Featured image: Manchester City CouncilBy Adam Taylor and Amy Corringham Winter is approaching, but don’t let the cold and dark days stop you getting out and about – aAh! has gathered a selection of events for all budgets for you and your friends to enjoy. Get into the festival spirit with a variety of activities…
Leave a reply