The Old Oak

The Old Oak

64th TIFF: Greek Premiere

The future appears quite uncertain for the last-standing pub in a village in northeastern England, The Old Oak. Most of the locals are abandoning the place as the mines they used to work in are closing one by one, while Syrian refugees are arriving in the village since the houses are affordable. Remaining true to the anthropocentric, socio-political approach to cinema that has established him as one of the greatest contemporary directors, the eminent Ken Loach, with his exceptional latest film, tells yet another unforgettable story of mental resilience and dignity. The Old Oak, a striking example of socially conscious cinema that doesn't shy away from the pressing issues of its time, adeptly explores the theme of harmonious coexistence among diverse cultural groups. It brings neorealism into the present day, with unmatched storytelling finesse and profound humanity.

Screening Schedule

No physical screenings scheduled.


Direction: Ken Loach
Script: Paul Laverty
Cinematography: Robbie Ryan
Editing: Jonathan Morris
Sound: Kevin Brazier
Music: George Fenton
Actors: Dave Turner, Ebla Mari, Claire Rodgerson, Trevor Fox, Chris McGlade, Col Tait, Jordan Louis
Production: Sixteen Films, Why Not Productions, Goodfellas, BFI, BBC Film, Les Films du Fleuve, France 2 Cinéma, Canal +, France Télévisions, Le Pacte, Cinéart, Ciné +, VOO, Be tv, Casa Kafka Pictures
Producers: Rebecca O’Brien
Costumes: Joanne Slater
Production Design: Fergus Clegg
Executive producer: Pascal Caucheteux, Grégoire Sorlat, Vincent Maraval
Make Up: Anita Brolly
Format: DCP
Color: Color
Production Country: UK
Production Year: 2023
Duration: 113'
Distribution in Greece: Feelgood Entertainment
Contact: Goodfellas

Ken Loach

Kenneth Charles Loach is a British film director and screenwriter. His socially critical directing style and socialist ideals are evident in his film treatment of social issues such as poverty (Poor Cow, 1967), homelessness (Cathy Come Home, 1966), and labor rights (Riff-Raff, 1991, and The Navigators, 2001). Loach’s film Kes (1969) was voted the seventh greatest British film of the 20th century in a poll by the British Film Institute. Two of his films, The Wind That Shakes the Barley (2006) and I, Daniel Blake (2016), received the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival, making him one of only nine filmmakers to win the award twice. Loach also holds the record for most films in the main competition at Cannes, with fifteen films.

Filmography

1967 Poor Cow
1971 Family Life
1979 Black Jack
1981 Looks and Smiles
1984 Which Side Are You On? (doc)
1990 Hidden Agenda
1994 Ladybird Ladybird
1995 Land and Freedom
1996 Carla's Song
1998 My Name Is Joe
2000 Bread and Roses
2002 Sweet Sixteen
2004 A Fond Kiss
2006 The Wind that Shakes the Barley
2007 It’s a Free World...
2010 Route Irish
2014 Jimmy's Hall
2016 I, Daniel Blake
2019 Sorry We Missed You
2023 The Old Oak