The Old Oak is the story of a village in the Northeast of England, where the mine closed, and people feel deserted by the system. Many young ones have left and what was once a thriving, proud community struggles to keep old values alive. But there is growing anger, resentment, and a lack of hope. Houses are cheap and available. This makes it an ideal location for the Syrian refugees that have been accepted by Britain in recent years. How will the Syrians be received? And what will be the future for the last remaining pub in the village, The Old Oak?

The Garden Cinema View:

The Old Oak finds Ken Loach fully committed to the late style he has developed since the turn of the century. Less concerned with the social realism of his early work, Loach’s characters embody broad types occupying immediately recognisable ethical or ideological stances. This register is at once initially jarring (and quite theatrical) but familiar once one considers the director in question. As he approaches the end of a remarkable career, Loach is interested in solutions, often located in community action and support, which drift into quasi-utopian grounds. Unique to The Old Oak, however, is a minor, but persistent meditation on the power of photography to document and communicate across cultures and differences. It is not a stretch to consider this Loach’s reflection on his own role in the many noble causes he has sought to portray and support over the decades.

The screening on 29th September was followed by a Q&A with lead actor Dave Turner

Cast:
Dave Turner, TJ Ballantyne, Debbie Honeywood Tania Reuben Bainbridge Reuben Bainbridge