A social, interesting and modern fairy tale
TJ Ballantyne (Dave Turner) is the owner of the Old Oak, an old run-down pub in northern England where only a few old regulars hang out. Divorced for several years, TJ’s only family left is his loyal little dog, Mara.
When families of Syrian refugees settle in the city, many residents are suspicious, even aggressive, of those they see as “parasites.” This is because they have nothing and are afraid of losing what little they have left.
But among the refugees, TJ meets Yara (Elba Marie), a young photographer with a big heart. Together with his new friend, they will do everything to ease the tension and try to make the old oak a shared place where they can be together.
The creative process is closer to reality than ever before
With films such as Family Life, Sharing Angels or, more recently, I, Daniel Blake, British director Ken Loach continues to address deeply rooted social issues of his time: the living conditions of workers. , abortion, addiction, treatment of disabled persons. …
This time there’s a double problem he’s dealing with. First, the reception of refugees in England, especially in rural areas. Then, the sense of abandonment that the inhabitants of this environment can experience, compared to the big cities.
Surprised by the realism of this situation, attentive viewers may believe that they are facing an adaptation of real news. However, this is not the case: if the old oak seems so reliable, almost documentary, it is because it is Ken Loach Focuses on creating the framework of his story in the form of almost strip naturalism, where the director does not play the role of a creative demiurge, but an observer of accurate facts. heroes old oak It may not actually exist in their name, but the situation is not fictional.
Indeed, while making his previous films, Ken Loach was a privileged witness to the misery of the English countryside: “One of the starting points was the reality of the abandoned regionhe declares. Most of the mining villages, once prosperous and proud of their traditions of solidarity, Politicians abandoned him . Many families left the region, shops closed, as well as schools, libraries, churches and most public places. When the job was gone and hope was gone, frustration, despair and feelings of ostracism grew. Worryingly, the far right has become stronger.“
Thus, to these pre-existing social problems was added a new tension associated with the arrival of foreigners in this abandoned countryside: “The two communities lived side by side, both had serious problems, but one was traumatized – escaping a war of unimaginable cruelty – now mourning its dead and worrying terribly about all those left behind. They were in a foreign country they did not know. Can these two societies coexist? The answers are necessarily contradictory. How can we find hope in such dark times?“
Far from ordinary Manichaeism, Ken Loach Once again proving his great wit, he questions with apparent sincerity the members of these two groups that seem to be diametrically opposed, but that desperation can also bring them together.
The vote for English workers is truly fascinating. Instead of mocking, the director tries to understand the reasons for their rejection, without forgiveness.
“As always, we collected and soakedtell him Ken Loach. After years of dealing with social conflicts and struggles, we know what to expect, but exactly how things unfold and how people react is always telling. What surprised us is that each point of view has an element of truth. There are absolutely no bad guys here. A sense of injustice can drive people to extremes, but their behavior is always motivated by a certain logic. If we miss this dimension, we impoverish the dramaturgy.“
A modern fable relevant to the social issues of its time, old oak There’s a new lesson in humanity and cinema from Ken Loach that will warm your heart and captivate you with the precision of its handling. Discovery today, exclusively in theaters.
Source: Allocine

Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.