I, Daniel Blake - regulation and distribution of independent cinema

 What makes I Daniel Blake an independent film?

• A complete lack of recognisable actors indicates the film has lower production values and a lower budget than a mainstream film. However, this ultimately work’s to the film’s advantage by constructing a more relatable and hard hitting mode of address.
• Additionally, the actors cast in this film are far from glamorous, and are not hegemonically attractive. This makes the film more relatable to a working class audience
• The setting is ‘real’ with the majority of scenes being shot on location, as opposed to being shot in a soundstage or studio. His makes shooting significantly more difficult, yet is also makes the film far more realistic, and far cheaper too
• The film was not made by a well known production company such as Marvel Studios. Yet was produced and distributed by s number of smaller companies in order to minimise risk 
• The setting is stereotypically working class, and draws attention to issues of poverty and may be more relatable to working class audiences
• The narrative is simple, yet is bleak and depressing, 
• The film is clearly critical of the UK government, in particular the conservative party and their policies of austerity. By criticising the countries largest political party, the film is ultimately limiting it’s financial success
• A politically motivated film that presents a clear ideology, I Daniel Blake (IDB) clearly represents the very real issue of unemployment and poverty in the North of England, in particular in Newcastle
• The film has no CGI whatsoever, as doing so what destroy the verisimilitude of the film. Verisimilitude is is essential for independent films, especially social realist films, as it is drawing attention to real life issues
• Verisimilitude - ‘like the truth’ 
• The film has low production values. The editing is less flashy, the camera quality is less apparent, and the cinematography is less complex and more understated. This helps the film makers focus on their message, yet also such high end editing techniques would simply be unavailable
• A completely unknown or less known cast, partly because of bigotry constraints, but also to keep the themes of the films grounded 
• The setting has verisimilitude, with settings including including a job centre, a food bank, a hospital, inside a run down flat nd on the grimy streets 

In what ways does I, Daniel Blake earn it's UK 15 BBFC age rating?

• UK 15 certificate
• Some instances of mild violence, though nothing likely to impact the audience (eg Blake being arrested)
• Frequent use of strong language (the F word) is used in a variety of contexts. Sometimes comedically, but sometimes aggressively, the use of strong language reinforces that these characters are working class
• A single use of the C word refers to political figure Ian Duncan Smith. This use of very strong language also reinforces the film’s political ideology
• There is a single use of discriminatory language used in an absolute bizarre and unnecessary scene that seems to be played for comic relief 

Explain the ways in which social and political contexts may influence independent films. Refer to I, Daniel Blake to support your points

• The dominant ideology of I Daniel Blake is to draw attention to the inequality that exists in British society. In particular, the working class are more ore subject to facing issues of poverty. 
• The film is set in many stereotypically working class settings, including council estates, run down inner city environment and food banks. Ken Loach is clearly hoping to appeal to and to target a working class audience with these hard hitting themes. 
• Daniel Blake tells his friend, who resorts to eating uncooked beans in a food bank ‘it’s not your fault, you’ve done amazing’. The inference here is that it is the government's fault that these people are in desperate poverty.
• This scene is presented in a highly realistic way that would be relatable to working class audiences. The setting is relatable and realistic, and there is no non-diegetic soundtrack, only diegetic dialogue and other sound effects like crying. The scene is almost certainly shot in a real food bank in a real community centre, that not only presents a more realistic mode of address, but also keeps production costs down
• However, despite drawing attention to real issues, the realistic mode of address and extremely depressing narrative will only appeal to a niche audience. This draws attention to the dichotomy that exists between culture and industry, as this important, challenging film will ultimately be overlooked by the working class in favour of easier to watch narratives such as Black Panther

I Daniel Blake and international distribution

One issue with independent films, in particular social realist films, is that they are often relatable only to a very specific audience. I Daniel Blake is set in the working class environments of Newcastle, and presents many specific problems for international distribution. 

Some impediments to international distribution include:

• The heavy Geordie accents of the characters
• Explicit reference to very specific part s of British society, including council estates and food banks 
• Very specific references to the UK government and politicians 

However, despite of or perhaps because of it's 'exotic' setting, I, Daniel Blake won the prestigious Palme D'or ant the Cannes film festival, demonstrating an appreciation for the film as 'art move' outside of its initial remit as a propagandistic exploration of a very specific and very British social issue. The idea of working class rebellion is perhaps popular in France, a country with a history of revolution! 

Like many independent films, I, Daniel Blake was both produced and distributed by a range of smaller companies, that allows this risky film to minimise any financial loss. I strongly recommend doing a little internet research and noting the names of the individual producers and distributors, as there are many for each region. This piecemeal approach to distribution is very different to a major production like Black Panther, which is produced and then distributed by  single and distinct organisations (Marvel Studios and Disney Film Studies respectively)