Ken Loach's 'The Old Oak' premieres in Italian cinemas November 16

Ken Loach's latest film 'The Old Oak' will be released in Italian cinemas on November 16, 2023, distributed by Lucky Red. The film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2023 and may be Loach's final feature. The 87-year-old director hinted at retirement, stating that filming requires being away for about a year, which he feels would be unfair to his wife at his age. However, he also told journalists that his personal story is not important and to focus on the film. The screenplay was co-written by Loach and Paul Laverty. The story is set in a former mining town that has experienced 30 years of decline. The only remaining pub, The Old Oak, is struggling to stay open under owner TJ Ballantyne (Dave Turner). Tensions rise when Syrian refugees are relocated to the village. TJ forms an unlikely friendship with a young Syrian woman named Yara (Ebla Mari). The film explores themes of solidarity and hope, with the characters adopting the motto 'Mangiamo insieme, restiamo insieme' (We eat together, we stay together). Loach stated that solidarity, resistance, and organization are key to building a better world, adding 'agitate, educate, organize' as guiding words.