Ken Loach has directed over 50 movies, and his most recent one, I, Daniel Blake, was recently recognized at the Cannes Film Festival with the Palme d'Or award.
This isn't Loach's first time winning the coveted award, however. Exactly 10 years ago, he also got the distinction for The Wind that Shakes the Barley, an Irish drama starring Cillian Murphy.
According to Loach, not only does he want the audience's heart to break while watching I, Daniel Blake, but he also wants them to be angry.
"The state's attitude is not an accident," he said, pointing out that authorities are being actively inefficient or cruel toward those who need help the most and subjecting those in poverty to indignity and humiliation.
I, Daniel Blake follows the story of Daniel Blake, a man from Newcastle who suffered a heart attack that rendered him unable to work. However, according to the UK Department of Work and Pensions' mobility test, he is fit to work. Blake appeals this decision, but he is only provided Jobseekers Allowance until his disability is formally recognized.
A pivotal scene in the movie has Blake standing up for a woman who is being refused service in a food bank despite explaining the situation she and her two children are in. According to Loach and writer Paul Laverty, the scene is based on an actual incident that occurred in one of the centers they visited in Glasgow while researching for the movie.
I, Daniel Blake focuses on the welfare system in the UK, but its director said it also paints a picture of what happens in agencies all over the world.
The movie's award, the Palme d'Or (or Golden Palm), was created in 1954 with prodding from Robert Favre Le Bret. It was awarded for the first time the following year in 1955 but was rescinded in 1964 when the Cannes Film Festival decided to use the Grand Prix award again to honor the event's top film. The Palme d'Or was reintroduced in 1975 and has been in use since then.
Last year's Palme d'Or award went to Dheepan by Jacques Audiard.
Watch the teaser trailer for I, Daniel Blake below!
