Congratulations to The London Film School Honorary Associate Ken Loach whose new film I, Daniel Blake was awarded the Palme d’Or at Festival de Cannes this weekend. The Palme d'Or is the highest prize awarded at the Cannes Film Festival.
This is Loach’s second Palme d’Or win, after The Wind That Shakes The Barley in 2006 and is the third time a Brit has won the Palme in 20 years, including LFS Chairman Mike Leigh’s Secrets & Lies in 1996. This makes him one of only 8 filmmakers who have won the coveted award more than once in the Festival's history.
Loach came out of his planned retirement to make the film, which comments on the failings of the government's benefits system. “When there is despair, the people from the far right take advantage,” said Loach during his acceptance speech. “We must say that another world is possible and necessary.”