Ken Loach’s I, Daniel Blake wins Palme D’Or

Ken Loach’s I, Daniel Blake was the big winner at this year’s Cannes Film Festival after it picked up the Palme D’Or at yesterday’s ceremony.

It’s now the second time that Loach has won the award and he becomes only one of eight directors to have taken the prize at Cannes twice, having previously won in 2006 for The Wind That Shakes the Barley.

I, Daniel Blake tells the story of a man struggling in his attempt to receive benefits in the UK, you can read our review here and watch the trailer below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aLEPQ9FYU0U

BFI helped fund the film and it was a proud moment for BFI director Ben Roberts: “What a moment for British cinema, and for two important and humane films with so much to say.

“Bravo to Ken and to Andrea and their collaborators – including the unstoppable Robbie Ryan who shot both films. This is cinema from the heart, and we’re grateful that we have an industry that can support such personal, powerful filmmaking.”

Elsewhere, Andrea Arnold took the jury prize for American Honey. While the Best director award was shared between Cristian Mungui for Graduation and Olivier Assayas for Personal Shopper. 

Check out the full list of winners below:

• Palme d’Or: I, Daniel Blake (Ken Loach)
• Grand Prix: It’s Only the End of the World (Xavier Dolan)
• Best director: Cristian Mungui (Graduation) and Olivier Assayas (Personal Shopper)
• Best short film: Timecode
• Caméra d’Or: Divines (Houda Benyamina)
• Honorary Palme d’Or: Jean-Pierre Léaud
• Best actor: Shahab Hosseini (The Salesman)
• Jury Prize: American Honey
• Best screenplay: Asghar Farhadi (The Salesman)
• Best actress: Jaclyn Jose (Ma Rosa)