I, Daniel Blake - A watershed moment for the benefits system?
Ken Loach's movie is set in our region and stars stand-up comic Dave Johns.
"We've had people crying after seeing screenings, and at one festival we had a 14 minute standing ovation when it finished"
Dave Johns isn't bragging when telling me this, he's beaming, with a mix of pride and excitement about his first leading role in Ken Loach's 'I, Daniel Blake'.
Maria Nelson is 47 years old, she, like the character Daniel in the movie she's been through the aggression, the heartache and the stress of having to fill out forms and go to countless appointments to prove the problems she has. We spent a bit of time talking through her experiences.
His on screen chemistry with leading lady Hayley Squires is nothing short of magical. Dave explains more about being Dan on screen and the process of getting the part.
The movie had its Premier in Newcastle last night and will be out at the end of this month nationwide.