Picturehouse Blog

To celebrate the release of The Old Oak, we've teamed up with Studiocanal to bring you a collection of photos that give us a glimpse into the story of the film: a powerful ode to community from one of our greatest filmmakers, Ken Loach. Read on to explore.

"The Old Oak is a special place. Not only is it the last pub standing, it is the only remaining public space where people can meet in a once thriving mining community that has now fallen on hard times after 30 years of decline."

"We met brilliant generous people along the way that give you heart and inspiration." - Paul Laverty, writer of The Old Oak.

"Why place refugees in deprived areas where people have very little, where the social infrastructure is already under pressure, and the general neglect is so long established it is not a news story anymore? Well, simply by putting the question like that, we know the answer." - Ken Loach, director of The Old Oak.

"The people in the film who play the Syrians are Syrian families and refugees who came here four or five years ago, and made their homes here. Some of the situations in the film are very familiar to them: things that they have experienced." – Rebecca O'Brien, producer of The Old Oak

"Making three films in the northeast has been a powerful experience. The cliches are true – a warm and generous people, a stunning landscape, and a culture built on hardship, struggle and solidarity." – Ken Loach

"People are really trying in these communities. And to be able to tell that story is an absolute honour, and to be able to tell a story of immigrants and people who aren't white standing shoulder to shoulder to try and make things better is really important to me. You're stronger when you act together, and you might not be that different after all." – Claire Rodgerson, actress from The Old Oak

"How does one traumatised community react when it ends up, side by side, with another? What we choose to see is another question we were fascinated by... You have to have the curiosity to look, to understand... it raises the eternal question of hope; what is its source, and how do we nourish this fuel for change?" – Paul Laverty

The Old Oak arrives at Picturehouse from 29 September. Book now.