Star of one of 2016’s most talked about films coming to York

Critically acclaimed and hugely controversial, I, Daniel Blake was one of 2016’s must-see movies.

The film by veteran director Ken Loach won the 2016 Palme D’Or. Now its star, actor and stand-up Dave Johns, is swapping the Cannes red carpet for a night at New Earswick Folk Hall.

Dave, known to millions as a panellist on TV shows like 8 Out Of 10 Cats and Never Mind The Buzzcocks, will be talking about his work and the movie before a Film At The Folk Hall screening on January 20.

He plays the title role. Daniel is a carpenter out of work due to ill health and the story charts his journey through the benefits system and his blossoming friendship with a single mother in a similar position.

Political row

The portrayal of Britain’s benefits bureaucracy, and society’s attitude to poverty, sparked a political row. Leading Conservative ministers criticised I, Daniel Blake as being unfair to JobCentre staff.

At Prime Minister’s Questions Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn recommended that Theresa May watch the film.

Chair of the Film at the Folk Hall group Sam Watling said:

He said the setting was appropriate. “We feel the film is a very fitting one for us as Film at the Folk Hall’s main aim is to address social isolation.”

Community cinema

New Earswick Folk Hall is owned by Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust. Deputy director of communications at the trust Abigail Scott Paul will be taking part in the question and answer session, which will explore the role the film has played in the discussion of poverty in the UK.

Film at the Folk Hall is a volunteer led community cinema. Having received funding and state of the art equipment from the British Film Institute and the John Lewis Community fund over the last year they now independently screen a wide range of films once a month.

They have also recently secured funding from the City of York Council to run an additional series of children’s film and activity days over the next few months.