“Daniel Blake (Dave Johns) is a 59-year-old widowed carpenter who must rely on welfare after a recent heart attack leaves him unable to work. Despite his doctor’s diagnosis, British authorities deny Blake’s benefits and tell him to return to his job. As Daniel navigates his way through an agonizing appeal process, he begins to develop a strong bond with a destitute, single mother (Hayley Squires) who’s struggling to take care of her two children.”
Late to the convo, I just watched it and I got really heart wrenched. Fuck this system and everyone who supports it
I was on Newstart (:aus-delenda-est: jobseeker’s allowance at the time) for two years, getting fucked around by the agencies (ended up recording all of my meetings after a while) and it was utterly crushing and dehumanising – watching the trailer to this almost induced a panic attack. It’s been in the queue for months but it’s gonna take a lot to watch it
Honestly that alone makes me think it’ll be an excellent movie
Interesting. This post reminded me of another movie about a poverty stricken family, but they were American and I think the father was a ride share driver. I forgot the name though
Great film, and depressingly true, the British benefits system is a Kafkaesque nightmare.
