“The Old Oak” Impresses at Cannes Film Festival with Powerful Social Parable of Strength, Solidarity, and Resistance

Ken Loach’s latest film, The Old Oak, may be his final masterpiece. With as much passion and energy as his debut film Poor Cow in 1967, Loach captures the inner lives of his characters with a visual style that has remained unchanged over the years. Set in Easington, County Durham in 2016, the film explores the sentiments that fueled the pro-Leave movement without ever mentioning the Brexit Referendum. Loach and writer Paul Laverty delve into the racism that has developed in Easington due to the decline of post-Thatcherite Britain. The film is a compassionate portrayal of the struggles of refugees and the ordinary man who has become surplus to requirements in his own world. With a powerful message of strength, solidarity, and resistance, The Old Oak is a fitting swansong for Loach’s career. Starring Dave Turner, Elba Mari, and Trevor Fox, the film runs for 1 hour and 53 minutes and is a must-see for anyone who cares about the future of our society.