The Old Oak

“The Old Oak” drew me in with its authenticity of its very genuine characters, even the bad ones, and the feel of being in a close knit community facing drastic change.

Outstanding and timely.

Compassionate and impactful story-telling. The characters felt genuine, and the conflicts were depicted in an honest and touching way. I was moved by this film.

Ken Loach’s last dance with filmmaking yields a final story that stands confidently among his great works.

This is what the art of filmmaking is all about. To empathize with characters you've never encountered before. I hope Ken Loach doesn't retire because he's still got it!

Poignant, verging on sentimental, look at contemporary change in the world from the point of view of the have-nots. Solid character development and plot which stays on point.

Great story with many levels.

I cried. I was so moved by the realness of what he explores in this movie. And it felt like I was watching things I have witnessed first-hand.

Great movie. Very absorbing and emotional. Extremely well filmed, you felt like you were actually there in every scene, not just watching something.

No one can deny that our world is deeply divided. On a global scale, the plight of refugees fleeing conflict zones provokes strong emotions, which in turn breed prejudice, drive a wedge between communities, question long-held traditions, and make it harder for those who have lost loved ones, are uprooted, and are trying to find their place in the world. Ken Loach tackles these profound issues in his movie, The Old Oak. Loach has made a name for himself with politically charged films. This one is no different, and he tackles these difficult and sensitive issues with empathy and nuance. The performances of Dave Turner and Ebla Mari (who plays Yara, one of the Syrian refugees) are outstanding, and they convey the soul and the pain of the characters. The performances from the non-professional cast are uneven, but I didn't feel this ever detracted from the film, which, at times, can feel like a blunt weapon. This film contains a few scenes that are absolutely blazing with intensity. The Old Oak brings up some important questions for us, such as how to encourage kindness and unity in our neighbourhoods. How do social media platforms affect local communities? And how can our communities' cultural divides be closed? They are all handled in a compelling, dramatic, and powerful way. If you are interested in watching films that are socially relevant, making a trip to the cinema to watch The Old Oak is something you should absolutely do. In a world that is becoming more and more torn apart, this is a powerful call for compassion and solidarity.