The Old Oak

THE OLD OAK is a special place: the last bastion against the 30-year decline of a once flourishing mining village in the north-east of England and a meeting point for the community of former miners who feel betrayed by the "system". Landlord TJ Ballantyne (Dave Turner) can just about keep the pub going, but can barely keep his head above water. The situation is not made any easier by the critically eyed arrival of Syrian refugees, who are housed in the many empty houses in the village. Despite the many hostilities, a kind of friendship develops between the young Syrian woman Yara (Ebla Mari) and the pub owner and together they try to establish THE OLD OAK as a meeting place for both communities.

Ken Loach's deeply moving drama about loss, fear and solidarity celebrated its acclaimed premiere in Cannes this year.