'I, Daniel Blake' actor Dave Johns with Ken Loach, Rebecca O'Brien and Paul Laverty

Source: Bafta

‘I, Daniel Blake’ actor Dave Johns with Ken Loach, Rebecca O’Brien and Paul Laverty

Sixteen Films’ Rebecca O’Brien has produced 16 features for director Ken Loach, many of which (including Cannes 2006 Palme d’Or winner The Wind That Shakes The Barley) were not nominated at all at the Bafta Film Awards.

But O’Brien, Loach and screenwriter Paul Laverty won outstanding British film with the eOne-distributed I, Daniel Blake in 2017, following nominations in the same category for Loach’s Raining Stones, Land And Freedom, Carla’s Song and My Name Is Joe. Sixteen Films won a Scottish Bafta for outstanding contribution to film in 2016.

Ken Loach had been nominated for six previous Bafta film awards, dating back to Kes in 1971, and never won – only for honorary Bafta awards. Did you fancy your chances?
We were nominated both for British film and best film, which was a first for us. I didn’t want to hope too much, given we’d never won before. We’d had box-office successes in other countries, but this one bucked the system in that it took off in the UK. It was partly because we had a fantastic campaign by eOne – [managing director] Alex Hamilton really went for it and it was more seen than many of the others.

How did you feel when your name was read out by presenters Nicole Kidman and Dev Patel?
Thrilled to bits. It was nice to break the curse of having never won. What was special was the fact it was for the three of us – Ken, Paul and me. So often the prizes quite rightly go to Ken, because he is the leader. But to have Paul, who’s absolutely the creative engine, be recognised… It was very special that we went up on stage together. When we got to the stage, my main surprise was how tall Nicole Kidman is.

What did you do after the ceremony?
The dinner at Grosvenor House Park Lane. They had these table decorations, each table themed for one of the best film nominees – including I, Daniel Blake. It was utterly bizarre to see pictures of struggling Daniel and the social security system as a table montage. Other nominated films – La La Land, for example – lent themselves to a themed montage more comfortably.

What did Ken make of it?
Ken swallows his embarrassment very discreetly, and then we all have a good gossip about it [afterwards]. Ken is incredibly gracious and very able to manage the big event, because he understands this is something that’s important for the film. You can’t go around dissing such things. Ken is very well-loved by people, and people love to see him. You are very up and high from winning something, and it was special.

And eOne must have been happy…
Alex, as a longtime football supporter of Leeds United, takes bad news badly and good news very well. So he was over the moon. His faith in us and support made such a big difference. What was a problem over many years was that we never had a consistent distributor in the UK until Alex took us on. He started with [2014’s] Jimmy’s Hall, and even though that film didn’t do particularly well, he had the confidence and trust in us to come back for I, Daniel Blake. He deserved that Bafta as much as anybody.

Did you go to any parties after the dinner?
In the past, we’ve celebrated our big wins with a cup of tea. That’s what happened after both Palme d’Ors – we went back to where we were staying and had a cup of tea after all the celebrations were over. Ken was never a serious party animal. For the Baftas, I think eOne had a party at Soho House. The great thing about those parties is that it’s for everybody [on the team], it’s for the people who really did do the work.

What does your Bafta mean to you?
One cannot deny that these awards are important and special. They really are. And I’m very proud of my Bafta, even though the little plaque on it is upside down. I didn’t notice for years. I’m sure I could have it amended, but it makes it special. It’s unique.

Where do you keep your trophy?
The Scottish Bafta is the doorstop for the back door. Unfortunately, it fell over and bruised my toe, but it’s still there. My [outstanding British film] Bafta, I was rather coy about it for some time, but now it has a decent position on a shelf in my sitting room. It’s the only award that has any prominence.

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