BIRD (International Centerpiece)

This latest cinematic venture from Academy Award-winning auteur Andrea Arnold (AMERICAN HONEY, FISH TANK) is a bold and evocative exploration of a fractured world told through the untainted eyes of youth. Nykiya Adams is mesmerizing as Bailey, a resourceful teenager living on the fringes of Kent, England. Her innocence stands in stark contrast to the shadowy dealings of her father (Academy Award nominee Barry Keoghan, SALTBURN) and the so-called protectors who claim to fight for justice despite their violent methods. The film features standout performances by Adams, Keoghan and Franz Rogowski (PASSAGES), who bring textured depth to their complex roles. Nominated for the Queer Palm at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, this deeply personal film captures both the haunting and hopeful aspects of its setting with striking empathy and ingenuity.
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“Through Bailey, a teenager skillfully portrayed by newcomer Nykiya Adams, BIRD explores an outcast’s quest for escape through imagination. Andrea Arnold’s film embraces life’s imperfections with a raw Film Diary style, highlighting class disparity and familial neglect. It invites empathy and reveals resilience in the face of adversity.” – Anto(n) Astudillo, Programmer

Andrea Arnold

Andrea Arnold

Nykiya Adams, Barry Keoghan, Franz Rogowski