The Old Oak

The Old Oak is a 2023 drama film directed by Ken Loach and written by Paul Laverty. It is a co-production between the United Kingdom, France and Belgium.[1]

The Old Oak
Theatrical release poster
Directed byKen Loach
Screenplay byPaul Laverty
Produced by
Starring
  • Ebla Mari
  • Dave Turner
CinematographyRobbie Ryan
Edited byJonathan Morris
Music byGeorge Fenton
Production
companies
Distributed by
Release dates
  • 26 May 2023 (2023-05-26) (Cannes)
  • 29 September 2023 (2023-09-29) (United Kingdom)
  • 25 October 2023 (2023-10-25) (France)
Running time
113 minutes[4]
Countries
LanguageEnglish[1]
Budget$1.0 million[5]

The Old Oak had its world premiere at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival where it competed for the Palme d'Or, and was released in the United Kingdom on 29 September 2023, by StudioCanal.

Premise

Pub landlord TJ Ballantyne, living in a previously thriving mining community in County Durham, struggles to hold onto his pub and keep it as the one remaining public space where people can meet in the town. Meanwhile, tensions rise when Syrian refugees are placed there, but Ballantyne strikes up a friendship with one of the refugees, Yara (Mari).[3][6]

Cast
  • Dave Turner as TJ Ballantyne
  • Ebla Mari as Yara
  • Claire Rodgerson as Laura
  • Trevor Fox as Charlie
  • Chris McGlade as Vic
  • Col Tait as Eddy
  • Jordan Louis as Garry
  • Chrissie Robinson as Erica
  • Chris Gotts as Jaffa Cake
  • Jen Patterson as Maggie
  • Arthur Oxley as Archie
  • Joe Armstrong as Joe
  • Andy Dawson as Micky
  • Maxie Peters as Tommy
  • Debbie Honeywood as Tania
  • Neil Leiper as Rocco

Production

The film was set and shot in the northeast of England. Loach, who turned 87 prior to its release, told The Hollywood Reporter it would "probably" be his last film.[7] Production companies on the film include UK's Sixteen Films, StudioCanal UK and BBC Film, France's Why Not Productions, and Belgium's Les Films du Fleuve.[2] The script was written by Paul Laverty. Rebecca O'Brien produced the film.[8] The film was scored by George Fenton.[9]

Filming

Filming began in May 2022,[10] and took place over six weeks. Locations used in County Durham included Murton, Horden and Easington.[11] The pub in Murton that became The Old Oak during filming was a disused pub previously known as The Victoria.[12]

Release

The film premiered in main competition at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival on 26 May 2023.[13][14] It was also invited at the 28th Busan International Film Festival in 'Icon' section and was screened on 5 October 2023.[15]

StudioCanal UK released the film in the United Kingdom and Ireland on 29 September 2023,[3][16] and Le Pacte will release the film in France on 25 October 2023.[17]

Reception

On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 75% based on 36 reviews, with an average rating of 6.5/10. The site's critics consensus read: "Imbued with the fiercely humanistic spirit that has defined Ken Loach's filmography, The Old Oak serves as a fitting -- albeit somewhat sentimental -- finale to a remarkable career."[18] On Metacritic, the film has a score of 65 out of 100, based on 10 critics, indicating "generally favourable" reviews.[19]

Accolades
Award / Film Festival Date of ceremony Category Recipient(s) Result Ref(s)
Cannes Film Festival 27 May 2023 Palme d'Or Ken Loach Nominated [13]
Cinéfest Sudbury International Film Festival 28 September 2023 Audience Choice for Best Feature Film Won [20]
Calgary International Film Festival 3 October 2023 Audience Choice, Special Presentations Program Won [21]

References
  1. "The Old Oak de Ken Loach (2023)". Unifrance. Retrieved 25 April 2023.
  2. "The Old Oak by Ken Loach". Cineuropa. Retrieved 25 April 2023.
  3. Tabbara, Mona (16 May 2022). "Ken Loach's 'The Old Oak' sells to the UK-Ireland". Screen Daily. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
  4. "The Old Oak (15)". BBFC. Retrieved 17 September 2023.
  5. "The Old Oak (2023)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 22 October 2023.
  6. M, Julie (19 April 2023). "The Old Oak by Ken Loach: in competition at the Cannes Film Festival 2023". Sortiraparis.com. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
  7. Ritman, Alex (24 April 2023). "Ken Loach Says 'The Old Oak' Likely to be His Final Feature Film (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
  8. Whittock, Jesse (16 May 2022). "Ken Loach's 'The Old Oak' Begins Shooting In UK; Studiocanal, Sixteen Films And Why Not Productions Attached To Syrian Refugee Drama Set In North England". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
  9. "George Fenton scoring Ken Loach's The Old Oak". Film Music Reporter. 24 April 2023. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
  10. de Semlyen, Phil (16 May 2022). "Ken Loach just started shooting a new film called 'The Old Oak'". Time Out. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
  11. Sagar, Sharuna (8 November 2022). "Ken Loach inspired by the North East for film The Old Oak". BBC Look North. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
  12. Hodgson, Barbra; Connor, Craig (19 May 2022). "Pictures on set with Ken Loach during filming of The Old Oak in County Durham". Chroniclelive. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
  13. Potter, Jonathan (13 April 2023). "Cannes 2023: New Ken Loach movie 'The Old Oak' announced to compete". Far Out Magazine. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
  14. mraultpauillac (10 May 2023). "The Screenings Guide of the 76th Festival de Cannes". Festival de Cannes. Retrieved 10 May 2023.
  15. "The 28th Busan International Film Festival: Selection List". Busan International Film Festival. 5 September 2023. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
  16. Goodfellow, Melanie (4 July 2023). "'The Old Oak' Trailer: Ken Loach's Potential 'Last Film' Set For September Release in UK & Ireland Following Cannes World Premiere". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 4 July 2023.
  17. "Les line-ups s'ajustent chez les distributeurs". boxofficepro.fr (in French). 20 June 2023. Retrieved 13 July 2023.
  18. "The Old Oak". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved 22 October 2023.
  19. "The Old Oak". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Retrieved 22 October 2023.
  20. "Cinéfest reveals 2023 award winners". Sudbury.com, 28 September 2023.
  21. "Summer Qamp, Drawing a Life audience favourites at CIFF". LiveWire Calgary, October 3, 2023.
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