"My name is Daniel Blake. I am a man, not a dog."
I, Daniel Blake - Movie Quotes
Memorable Quotes
I, Daniel Blake, am a citizen, nothing more, nothing less.
— Daniel Blake (read by Katie)
Context:
From the speech Daniel wrote for his appeal, which he never gets to deliver. Katie reads it at his pauper's funeral.
Meaning:
The film's thesis statement. It rejects all labels (client, service user, scrounger) in favor of the most fundamental political unit: the citizen, who holds inherent rights.
My name is Daniel Blake. I am a man, not a dog. As such, I demand my rights. I demand you treat me with respect.
— Daniel Blake
Context:
Part of the final eulogy/speech.
Meaning:
A demand for basic human dignity in the face of a system that treats people like animals or statistics.
When you lose your self-respect, you're done for.
— Daniel Blake
Context:
Daniel speaking to Katie after realizing she has turned to sex work to survive.
Meaning:
Highlights that the psychological toll of poverty is just as deadly as the physical toll.
We're digital by default.
— Jobcentre Advisor
Context:
Spoken dismissively to Daniel when he asks for a paper form because he cannot use a computer.
Meaning:
Epitomizes the exclusion of the elderly and poor who may not have computer skills or access.