Ken Loach’s The Old Oak is to premiere in Cannes Film Festival’s Official Selection.
The BBC Film-backed production saw the BAFTA-winning director return to the North East to take up the story of the “last pub standing” in a former mining community.
TJ Ballantyne (Dave Turner) the landlord is hanging on to The Old Oak by his fingertips, and his hold is endangered even more when The Old Oak becomes contested territory after the arrival of Syrian refugees who are placed in the village.
The film tells the story of an unlikely friendship between TJ and a young Syrian, Yara (Ebla Mari).
“A new film from Ken Loach, one of our most celebrated directors working today, is always a big event and it’s been a pleasure to partner with Ken and his long-time collaborators Paul Laverty and Rebecca O’Brien once again on this moving and timely story of hope and unity,” said Eva Yates, Director of BBC Film.
“Congratulations to all involved – The Old Oak marks Ken’s fifteenth film to screen in Competition in Cannes, a truly extraordinary achievement.”
The Sixteen Films and Why Not production was directed by Loach and written by Laverty. It was supported by BFI through National Lottery funding, as well as BBC Film and in co-production with Les Films du Fleuve.
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