Review – The Old Oak – Ken Loach

Posted on by Opher

Just been to see The Old Oak – what might be Ken Loach’s last film.

It’s a fabulous film and an indictment of the elitism in Britain. Despite being one of the wealthiest countries in the world we have millions living in abject poverty while greedy bastards like Johnson and Sunak cream off their millions.

This moving film portrays a poverty-stricken ex-mining town in the north of England. Thrown on the scrapheap by Thatcher in her war against unions. The once proud, thriving town is now hopelessly decaying.

Poor refugees fleeing terror and war in Syria are moved in and set in motion a series of events. Loach specialises in realism. In this the racism of the community is directed at the families as they direct their frustration and fury down at the poor frightened families instead of up at the people who are really responsible.

The action all centres around the struggling pub – The Old Oak – the compassionate landlord and a Syrian woman photographer.

It’s all too real!

THE OLD OAK – Official Trailer – Directed by Ken Loach – YouTube

My favourite Film Director – Ken Loach.

Posted on by Opher

Ken Loachgg

Ken is my favourite film director not because he has made the greatest films I have ever enjoyed, he hasn’t, but because of his humanity and consistency. His social realism is always important. He is always true to himself. He is a man who raises your awareness and forces you to think about issues. To do that in an entertaining manner is genius.

Ken is a man you can trust to have the right sensitivities and to put that into a film with heart and interest.

At the beginning we had the brilliance of Kes, Up the Junction and Poor Cow,

His Palm d’or winner – The Wind that Shakes the Barley was the best portrayal of the Irish situation ever captured on celluloid.

A look at the films I have greatly enjoyed such as:

Riff-Raff

Bread and Roses

My Name is Joe

Carla’s Song

Raining Stones

The Navigators

demonstrates the wide range of Ken’s social interest. If there is injustice Ken is there to highlight it.

I love his films and I love the man.

We need more people who are prepared to stand up and speak their mind, to highlight injustice and try to make the world a better place.

Ken has always done that. He has put his actions where his mouth was and become politically active in many arenas. I respect that.

He has integrity.

Ken is not a man who wanted to make great films, win lots of acclaim and make lots of money. He could have done all that if he wanted.

He is a man who wanted to make things better and who stood up for his principles – that was more important.

Ken is one of my heroes!