“The Old Oak” is a 2023 drama film directed by Ken Loach. Set in a small, struggling former mining town in northern England, the film focuses on the impact of a newly arrived group of Syrian refugees on the local community. The story centers around The Old Oak, the last remaining pub in the town, which serves as a gathering place for both locals and refugees. The pub’s owner, played by Dave Turner, finds himself caught between the townspeople’s resentment and the refugees’ need for a safe space. As tensions rise, the film explores themes of community, prejudice, and the possibility of solidarity in the face of hardship. Known for his social realism, Loach uses “The Old Oak” to examine the socio-economic challenges and cultural clashes in modern Britain, delivering a poignant and thought-provoking narrative.
Old Oak, The
