Directed by Ken Loach
Starring Dave Turner and Ebla Mari

Watching my now fifth Ken Loach film with a couple of friends who had never seen a film by him before was a revelatory experience. One of them downright hated it, the other could appreciate certain elements while stating they do prefer a more traditional method of filmmaking and acting, and I loved what was represented before us and the manner in which it was explored. It was a valuable reminder that was reminiscent of my first Ken Loach movie experience (2010s Route Irish, which has 4/10 on IMDB from me!) that his dedication to sharing social and human rights issues infused with realism that are mostly cast using non-actors can take some getting used to and is simply not for everyone. That being said, I would never not recommend a Ken Loach movie! This veteran director and his regular writing collaborator Paul Laverty, teaming up for an incredible fifteenth and (probably) final time with The Old Oak, bring something to cinema that hardly any others do in a way I truly believe is more accessible and affecting than most people realise or first know. This partnership is irreplaceable really. 

If you were to go by IMDBs synopsis of The Old Oak, it only scratches the surface at best what it is really about. In my view, this is a film you want to know what you’re coming into. It’s set in 2016 during two separate but very tumultuous times for the people impacted. Irrespective of their different locations, ethnicities and the factors behind the events occurring, their paths will irrevocably cross in a mostly unwelcome way. A once thriving coal mine village in the north of England where many likeminded locals remain that is now becoming somewhat of a wasteland has been chosen as the place many Syrian refugees fleeing the Syrian civil war will indefinitely call home. As we’ve come to expect from the Ken Loach / Paul Laverty partnership, this situation explores the xenophobic backlash these refugees are faced with and depicts some of the worst in people. Thankfully, their previous films also tell us we can expect to see some of best too. Enter The Old Oak and its publican, Tom (played by Dave Turner). Despite his once booming bar now being on its last legs, or should I say last kegs (sorry, not sorry), Tom sees the arrival of the refugees from a polar opposite perspective and begins a friendship with Yara (Ebla Mari), one of the refugees who speaks English very well. 

Though a uniformly great film from Loach and Laverty, it’s fair to say The Old Oak isn’t among their very best. Some of the plot developments and characterisation aren’t as sharply written and don’t always entirely convince of what’s being portrayed. Thankfully, none of its imperfections are significant enough to adversely impact the film’s themes and its uplifting conclusion. Once again, I was entirely engaged by a largely unknown cast keeping it real through the observational and unshowy lens of Ken Loach. Courtesy of its writing, directing, and performances, The Old Oak meaningfully illustrates the wall people allow themselves to build when their perspectives and actions are fuelled by ignorance and fear. Films such as this give people who might match what’s depicted on screen the opportunity to recognise themselves and reconsider their narrow worldview. It highlights the importance of listening, truly listening, and is triumphant in exhibiting the power of empathy, kindness, and in finding what community means to people and how that can bring them together.

The Old Oak is showing in selected cinemas across Australia from November 30th.

Moviedoc thanks Palace, Cunard British Film Festival, and Miranda Brown Publicity for the invite to the screening of this film.

Review by Leigh for Moviedoc

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