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Free film screening set to encourage debate

21 September 2016

 

A free film screening hopes to encourage debate on issues surrounding poverty, social exclusion and the increasing use of food banks.

Dr Ben Lamb, Research Lecturer in Media at Teesside University’s School of Design, Culture & the Arts, has been working with the distributors of celebrated film director Ken Loach’s latest work to help organise free screenings across the region.

I Daniel Blake, which was filmed in Newcastle, has been described by critics as 'a protest cry for humanity'. It follows the story of a hardworking joiner who finds himself caught in a maze of welfare bureaucracy after suffering a heart attack.

Ken Loach's Cathy Come Home caused public outcry when it was distributed in the 1960s and the hope is this campaign surrounding the film maker’s latest work will create similar discussion in relation to the welfare system. Decades on from Cathy Come Home, use of food banks has become a sad fact of life as increasing numbers of families and individuals unexpectedly find themselves in crisis due sudden change of circumstances.

Dr Lamb said: 'I have been working with the film distributors to help promote their free screenings as part of a grassroots campaign which aims to encourage people to engage with the film and instigate debate and respond to the issues it raises.'

Guest speakers at the free screenings will talk about their own personal experiences of using food banks and the impact of benefit sanctions.

Following a free screening on Monday 3 October at Middlesbrough Cineworld there will be discussion at nearby St Mary’s Centre from 8.00pm. Contributors will include Teesside University Professor Rob Macdonald, who has extensively researched issues surrounding social exclusion and poverty; Steve Cooke from the Teesside People's Assembly in Middlesbrough; law lecturer Ben Warwick, whose research explores how the economic landscape impacts on human rights; and Dr Kayleigh Garthwaite, whose research looks at health inequalities, welfare reform and austerity.

Along with free screenings taking place across the North-east, the campaign organisers are also seeking ambassadors who would like to become involved in championing the film. Free screenings include Showcase Cinema, Teesside Park on 1 and 9 October and Middlesbrough Cineworld on 3 and 23 October.

Book on the 3 October screening

Watch the film trailer.


 
 
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