By Roger Costa
A man stands up for a justification in the middle of a room filled with unfortunate people, raising his voice and defying security to help a woman who needs social assistance. She is being denied service as she was late for the appointment and the man seems furiously revolted with the lack of consideration from the social services’ representatives.
A woman sacrifices her private life in order to care for her patients, literally dedicating herself to the need of others. Her phone is constantly ringing, people are suffering and they need their doctor. Haunted by the image of a girl who was found dead near her clinic, she stars an investigation on her own to find the girl’s family in order to notify her death.
Both Ken Loach’s “I, DANIEL BLAKE” and Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne’s “THE UNKNOWN GIRL”, explore modern issues related to justice, righteousness, prejudice, compassion and most importantly the affirmation and awareness of humane virtues.
In a Oscar caliber performance, Dave Johns plays the title-role in Ken Loach’s masterpiece about the troubles faced by a man growing old. After an incident at the construction site, the carpenter fights with doctors and social services agents, trying to get back to work. His medical conditions aren’t in good shape, and so are his pilling bills; he’s trapped in the bureaucratic system that won’t allow him back to work, neither will help him with allowances to survive. As he is fighting for his own, he meets Katie, a single mother with two children, living under humiliating conditions, which makes him realize there are more people in need than himself, and he can’t stand to neglect it.
Adele Haenel also puts her life on hold, in order to serve other people’s basic needs as the heroine Dr. Davin in the Dardenne Brothers latest moral lesson to modern society. She has never denied a patient’s request for help, constantly answering their calls at any time. But one night, someone knocks at her clinic’s door and she is unable to open it. Eventually she finds out that was a girl looking for shelter from predators, and was found dead under mysterious circumstances. This burden consummates her, and she will find no rest until she puts the pieces together, and while overwhelmed with the patients’ needs, she will defy authorities and suspects to give the girl a decent funeral.
In both films, the element of a person becoming the fortress in somebody else’s life, appears as the main characteristic throughout the narrative, a blend of a rescuer, a savior, a shield, a protector. People are struggling, battling and suffering amidst a world in chaotic degradation and absence of solidarity or compassion. When no-one else will give them a reason to continue the journey, or will feed them, or clothe or medicate them, these characters demonstrate a rich virtue of caring and providing for the others, no matter who they are. They confirm their message of human rights and equality with powerful and exemplar attitudes to benefit the less fortunate. In a way, these characters also represent aspects of Christ’s mission towards humanity. They are facing their own issues, but are determined to promptly respond to whomever needs them.
Daniel is the representation of an aging male without perspectives in a modernized technology fast-paced era. Doors start to close, and opportunities are rare, but he won’t give up on his dignity as a human being; he’s ready to give more than a hand, and perhaps sacrifice to his immigrant neighbor and the starving woman and her kids. Ken Loach’s masterpiece investigates unemployment at scary rates, Europe’s financial crisis, and the conflicting manipulation and schemes of the system.
Dr. Davin evokes the new generation trying to make sense of contemporary conflicts, and through her actions, she affirms the invaluable need of preserving basic human rights, such as the dignity of having a name, being recognized, being loved and dying respectfully. She never hesitates to hear out her patients’ cry-outs when an emergency strikes. Her dedication is honored by one young cancer patient who surprises her with a lovely song written for her. As usual, The Dardennes observe the characters’ profound reactions and silent emotions with the Neo-realistic aesthetic that has become their mark: powerfully delicate and urgent, naturally humane and as surprising as life is itself.
Undoubtedly among the best films of the year, Loach’s “I, Daniel Blake” and The Dardennes’ “The Unknown Girl” are each a vigorous account on how we treat, respect and care for each other, deeply reflective analysis on modern behaviors, and also a knockout statement on the important fact that everyone matters.
*Playing as Official Selections at New York Film Festival 2016. See www.filmlinc.com for schedule
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