FOREIGN MOVIE
Tuesday, November 25th, 1:30 to 4:00pm
Lawrence Public Library, Room “C”
The Old Oak (2023) (Drama) 1hr 53min. Subject: Immigration. Tagline: It’s not where you’re from, it’s what you bring!
The Old Oak — Directed by Ken Loach and written by Paul Laverty, this movie follows TJ Ballantyne (Dave Turner), the weary owner of the last pub in a struggling northern England mining town. When Syrian refugees arrive, tensions erupt — until an unlikely friendship between TJ and Yara (Ebla Mari) sparks a fragile hope for unity. With Loach’s signature for realism and compassion, The Old Oak becomes a powerful story about community, prejudice, and the simple courage to care. Thoughtful, human, and deeply timely, it’s a fitting final film from one of cinema’s greatest social storytellers.
This movie was BAFTA Film Award Nominee (2024) for Outstanding British Film of the Year and was Audience Award Winner and Audience Choise Award Winner for Best Film (2023) from several organizations.