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The Leiden International Film Festival (LIFF), spanning from October 26 to November 5 this year, presents a rich array of cinema, stretching from the thought-provoking arthouse to the more accessible mainstream, offering a feast for all film lovers. Since its first edition in 2006, it has blossomed into one of the Netherlands’ most-anticipated film gatherings. This review of Ken Loach’s ‘The Old Oak’ kicks off a series of reviews spotlighting some of the films showcased at LIFF.
Directed by: Ken Loach
Year: 2023
Country: UK, France, Belgium
Length: 113 minutes
Ken Loach’s ‘The Old Oak’ presents a touching story set against the backdrop of a once-prosperous mining village now grappling with economic hardships, worsened by international slumlords preying on the locals. At the core of this fading community stands TJ Ballentyne’s (a compelling Dave Turner) pub, The Old Oak. Despite its -literally- crumbling exterior, the pub remains a refuge where villagers find fellowship and a slice of solace from their grim reality.
With the arrival of Syrian refugees, the village becomes a place where tensions reach boiling point, mirroring a larger narrative of xenophobia fueled by misinformation and financial bitterness. Loach masterfully navigates the narrative to challenge the villagers’ biases, particularly when TJ, alongside a handful of compassionate locals, extends a welcoming hand to the refugees. In this movie, the director, Loach, skillfully guides the story to confront the prejudices of the villagers, especially when the character named TJ, along with a few empathetic locals, welcomes the refugees and engages in conversations with them to learn more about their experiences and their culture. This leads to a reconsideration of their misguided hostility and promotes a message of solidarity and empathy.
Using his trademark style of social realist filmmaking, Loach, again in collaboration with screenwriter Paul Laverty, delves into the impact of societal and economic disillusionment on communal harmony. The Old Oak pub stands as a metaphor for a withering sense of community and historical unity, once unified by the collective endeavor of mining, now fragmented by divisive rhetoric encircling immigration.
The film’s subdued tone, combined with authentic performances, reflects the somber reality of societal division. However, TJ’s, and later the rest of the village’s, modest attempts to bridge the gap between the villagers and the refugees offer hope. ‘The Old Oak’ resonates with the currents of the socio-political climate all over Europe, highlighting the humane potential for solidarity amid hardships.
The heartfelt performances of its ensemble enrich ‘The Old Oak’, portraying a community balancing on the tightrope of discord and hope. Among the cast, newcomer Ebla Mari captivates with a nuanced portrayal of Yara, a Syrian refugee navigating the rough tides of acceptance in a new terrain. Her heartfelt depiction adds emotional layers to the narrative, inviting the audience to feel the weight of her journey. Across from her, Dave Turner as TJ Ballentyne exudes a genuine warmth and solidarity, besides a deep sense of loss. The camaraderie between Turner and Mari, melded with the ensemble’s harmony, highlights the narrative’s core theme of community and understanding. Their exchanges, tender and unpretentious, underscore a natural friendship that resonates with audiences, weaving a heartwarming ambiance amidst a bleak social landscape.
The ensemble’s collective chemistry reflects a lifelike community, capturing both the discord and the unity inherent in human connections. Each actor, regardless of their screen time, contributes to a cohesive portrayal of a community, offering performances that are both singular and integral to the narrative’s social fabric. The authenticity in their interactions, heightened by a script that mirrors the dialect of everyday life, amplifies the film’s social realist essence, presenting the audience with an empathetic and humanist narrative that’s as heartwarming as it’s thought-provoking. The ensemble’s concerted performance, anchored by Mari and Turner’s compelling portrayals, elevates ‘The Old Oak’ into a touching exploration of community, empathy, and the spirit of unity against a backdrop of social and economic discontent. Through their very real performances, the cast of ‘The Old Oak’ not narrates a compelling tale that reflects our society, encouraging audiences to reflect and understand the world we’re living in.
Loach and Laverty have woven a narrative that’s both a tender homage to community and a sharp rebuke of the divisive elements threatening societal harmony. While the film bears the hallmark of Loach’s social realist style, it also unveils a fresh outlook through its nuanced portrayal of a community at a socio-political junction.
The core message of ‘The Old Oak’ echoes with timely relevance, urging a collective introspection on empathy, understanding, communication, and the strength of community. Loach’s latest is another strong summons for societal reflection, making ‘The Old Oak’ a noteworthy addition to this year’s Leiden International Film Festival lineup.
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