Film in Minoriti: The Old Oak

Northern England, 2016. The Old Oak is not only the last working pub in a once thriving mining community, but also the only public space where people can still meet. When landlord TJ Ballantyne invites Syrian refugees settled in the village by the state to the pub, tensions begin to rise...

During the village walks, it was very interesting to talk to older members of the community who had been miners or had loved ones who had been miners. /.../ Listening to these people, full of life energy, who participated in the 1984 miners' strike, I felt a strong community spirit, a togetherness and a political clarity that contrasts with the hopelessness of many today. /.../ It became clear that 'the past' had to become a character in our film.

Organisation and execution Kulturna četrt Minoriti, Lutkovno gledališče Maribor • programme selection partners Konzorcij Film in Maribor • programme supported by the Mestna občina Maribor