The Old Oak, Ken Loach's 2023 film released in theaters, is airing on France 5 on Friday, May 22, 2026 at 9:05 p.m.. Shown in competition at the Cannes Film Festival 2023, this drama written by Paul Laverty follows the arrival of Syrian refugees in a northeastern English village.
The Old Oak
Film | 2023
Theatrical release: 25 October 2023
Broadcast on France 5 : Friday 22 May 2026 at 21:05
Drama | Runtime: 1h53
Directed by Ken Loach | Screenplay: Paul Laverty
Starring Dave Turner, Ebla Mari, Claire Rodgerson
Countries: United Kingdom, France, Belgium
TJ Ballantyne runs the Old Oak, a pub battered by the economic woes of a former mining region. The arrival of Syrian refugees in the town rekindles old tensions, but TJ grows close to Yara, a young migrant with a passion for photography. Together, they work to revive a sense of solidarity by running a canteen open to the town’s most vulnerable, regardless of origin.
The Old Oak continues Ken Loach’s tradition of social realism in northeast England, following I, Daniel Blake and Sorry We Missed You. The film rests on a screenplay by Paul Laverty, the director’s long-time collaborator, and on performers partly drawn from the region to root the story in a territory marked by mine closures, precarity, and the rising fractures within communities.
The film revolves around the concept of solidarity, illustrated by the phrase"When you eat together, you stick together". Syrian refugees arrive in a village in northern England, devastated by the tragic collapse of a local mine. The village's dire economic situation worsens with the arrival of the refugees, exacerbating tensions between local residents and the new arrivals.
Nevertheless, The Old Oak is more than just a social drama. It highlights moments of deep humanity, such as when Yara's mother brings food to TJ during a personal trial. This scene underscores the theme of sharing, a central thread that unites people in the film, with the charming line spoken: "sometimes in life, there is no need for words, only food".
Another strong point of The Old Oak is its take on religion. Yara, though Muslim, cherishes the symbolic beauty of a cathedral, highlighting the universality of beauty and the sacred. In fact, TJ tells her that the Cathedral doesn’t belong to the church but to its builders. This moment underlines the film’s humanist ethos, showing that peaceful coexistence and acceptance are possible even across differences.
Despite a predictable ending, The Old Oak still strikes a deep emotional chord with audiences. Ken Loach's latest work promises not only cinematic success but also to spark a serious, essential conversation about welcoming refugees and their integration.
Presented in competition at Cannes, The Old Oak earned a Special Mention from the Ecumenical Jury. Ken Loach continues a filmography built on stories of solidarity, social struggles, and communities left to endure political neglect.
To go further, also check out our selection of films, series and shows to watch on TV this week, our guide to releases across all platforms, and today’s streaming pick: What to watch today on streaming.
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