The Old Oak

Directed by Ken Loach
Starring Dave Turner, Elba Mari

The Old Oak is a special place. Not only is it the last pub standing, but it’s also the only remaining public space where people can meet in a once thriving mining community that has now fallen on hard times after 30 years of decline. TJ Ballantyne (Dave Turner) the landlord hangs on to The Old Oak by his fingertips, and his predicament is endangered even more when the pub becomes contested territory after the arrival of Syrian refugees who are placed in the village without any notice.

In an unlikely friendship TJ meets a curious young Syrian Yara (Ebla Mari) with her camera. Can they find a way for the two communities to understand each other? So unfolds a deeply moving drama about their fragilities and hopes.

Director Ken Loach teams up with regular writing partner Paul Laverty to deliver a compassionate tale of community and belonging.

The film will be followed by a Q&A with Canon Dr Anthony Lees-Smith and Dr Valerie Barron.

Dr Valerie Barron is a community organiser in Tyne and Wear. She has spent the last 12 years working with churches in the North East as they explore how to respond to poverty and marginalisation. When Syrian refugees were moved into their community, Val and her husband, who was the parish priest, were challenged by the community tensions that emerged. Paul Laverty and Ken Loach spent time listening to these stories of tension and hope which are then reflected in the 2023 film ‘The Old Oak’ in which Val was cast as the local vicar.