The Old Oak (2023)
The Old Oak
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Why watch this film?
In The Old Oak, director Ken Loach once again delivers a powerful narrative, one where there are no heroes or villains, but rather sharp wit, potent dialogue, and unsettling monologues capable of bringing tears even to the most hardened of hearts. The plot follows the inhabitants of an abandoned village in England as they come into conflict with Syrian refugees who have been resettled there by the government. Amidst the tensions, the owner of a small pub tries to keep his bar open while simultaneously starting an unexpected friendship with the young Syrian girl Yara (Ebla Mari). This is the third film in a trilogy about the English North East that began with the features I, Daniel Blake and Sorry We Missed You. Through melancholy cinematography, the director also builds emotion. In addition, the fact that Dave Turner, the protagonist, was a firefighter for nearly 50 years before becoming an actor, and that Mari is a Syrian refugee actress, makes Loach's latest work a deep and interesting dive into the human dilemmas inherent in any nationality
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Plot summary
In Ken Loach's last film, a pub owner struggles to keep his business alive in a decaying town. When Syrian refugees begin to occupy the area's vacant houses, tension rises and the unity of the locals is put to the test.
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