I, Daniel Blake

A widowed man recovering from a heart attack tries to claim sickness benefits from the state only to be faced with scorn at every turn.

Slow burning like a home-made furnace, "I, Daniel Blake" is a powerful statement against the government and their endless need for red tape. Don't let the unassuming start of this film put you off, its languid pace is a subterfuge for a downward spiral into disillusionment and heartbreak. Exploring how far you're willing to go to keep the lights on and your family fed, the kindness of strangers is a focus as you laugh and cry while your faith in humanity is tested. Appealing.

British Film Festival 2016
100 mins