The Old Oak

“It's as engrossing, thoughtful, heartfelt, angry, hopeful, and altogether valuable as his best work. If it is indeed Loach's farewell, it's one hell of a fine note to go out on.” 
—Matt Zoller Seitz, RogerEbert.com

The last pub standing in a once-thriving mining village in northern England, The Old Oak is a gathering space for a community that has fallen on hard times. There is growing anger, resentment, and a lack of hope among the residents, but the pub and its proprietor, TJ (Dave Turner), are a fond presence to their customers. When a group of Syrian refugees moves into the floundering village, a decisive rift fueled by prejudice develops between the community and its newest inhabitants. The formation of an unexpected friendship between TJ and a young Syrian woman (Ebla Mari) opens new possibilities for the divided village.

113 minutes

Magnolia at the Modern is an ongoing series featuring critically acclaimed films. Tickets are $10; $8 for Friend-level Modern members; $7 for Associate-level Modern members and above. The Sunday noon showtime is half price. Learn more about the special benefits of joining Reel People, a membership add-on for film enthusiasts.

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