I Daniel Blake

I, Daniel Blake screening 7.30pm Thursday 10th November

The theme for November is Cannes and our film offerings come in short and feature length.

Our feature is Ken Loach’s winner of the Cannes Film Festival’s Palme d’Or I Daniel Blake. This is the first time we have screened a film when it comes out in the main stream cinemas and we are totally delighted to welcome Dave Johns (who plays Daniel in the film) to introduce the film and do a short Q&A session. Plus after the film screenwriter Paul Laverty will also be joining us to answer any questions you may have.

The film: Based on research and interviews by the screenwriter Paul Laverty, this movie tells the fictional story of Daniel Blake, a middle-aged widower in the North East who can’t work or get benefits after a near-fatal heart attack, and the story is told with stark and fierce plainness: unadorned, unapologetic, even unevolved. Loach’s movie offends against the tacitly accepted rules of sophisticated good taste: subtlety, irony and indirection.

‘I, Daniel Blake review: Ken Loach’s welfare state polemic is blunt, dignified and brutally moving’  Peter Bradshaw, Guardian

And prior to I Daniel Blake  we are screening the a short film Simon, First and Only.  This is the prologue for a feature film and sees the young hero have his first encounter with the killer in the church. 

The film was accepted into this years Cannes Film Festival Short Film Corner. It’s also been shown as part of the official selection in the London Independent Film Festival. Visit the Simon, First and Only website for more information.

Thursday 10th November

  • I, Daniel Blake – CERT 15 and Simon, First and Only 7.30pm to 10 pm,  St Joseph’s Hall, Balerno Eventbrite - I, Daniel Blake

Departing from our norm

For the feature, this is the first time we’ve screened a film at the same time  it goes to commercial cinemas and film houses. Hopefully you show your approval with your feet and come down to see it.  The move to Thursday reflects our need to use additional screening equipment and film licensing which has increased costs but hopefully your donations can acknowledge this. Wine, soft drinks and nibbles available as always.

Balerno Village Screen is a community cinema free to attend and funded by donations. We ask that you reserve a free ticket in advance (via the button above) to help us manage numbers.  We also ask that if you can no longer attend to cancel your ticket to allow someone else to see the film.

Tickets are also available via the Mill Cafe or you can book and print your tickets at Balerno Library (staff are happy to help).