WE’RE DANIEL BLAKE
Anti-poverty campaigner treats 1000s to viewing of gritty film
THOUSANDS of Scots are getting the chance to watch hit film I, Daniel Blake thanks to an anti-poverty campaigner.
Willie Black – who famously called Tory benefits axeman Iain Duncan Smith a “ratbag” after gatecrashing an Edinburgh speech – has been touring community centres to screen the drama.
Ken Loach’s award-winning movie tells the heartbreaking story of a middle-aged carpenter who needs welfare after a heart attack and is joined by a single mother in a similar scenario.
And after distributors agreed to supply it at a cut price, Black has set out to show it to people who may not have had the money to see it in the cinema.
He said: “This is a an incredible film that could really have the power to change things and put pressure on the Government to stop benefits cuts and sanctions.
“But one of the problems is that many people who are affected by the issues in the film may not have had the chance to go to the cinema, where it costs £10 for a ticket and another £8 for popcorn.
“I am part of a group called We Are All Daniel Blake and we have been touring community centres and other locations giving people the chance to watch the film.
“We have had 17 screenings so far and another seven to go. We show the film then there is a bit of political discussion afterwards.
“Our hope is people will be moved to take action against Tory cuts and campaign for the Scottish Government to do everything in their power to mitigate these cuts.”
An army of activists are screening the film across the UK. In the first two months, it has shown in more than 600 locations.
Simon Troy, whose firm Troy Film Agency are handling the community release for distributor eOne, said: “Normally we see a film have a few hundred screenings after it leaves the cinemas but I see I, Daniel Blake breaking all sorts of records in communities and it shows no signs of stopping.”