Bird

In a rundown squat on the coast of Kent, 12-year-old Bailey (a very strong performance by the young Nykiya Adams) and her brother Hunter struggle to survive under the care of their father, Bug, who neglects his children and earns his money by making shady deals. While Bug (played by Barry Keoghan) wrestles with his own demons, Bailey yearns for her absent father. When his attention never comes, Bailey embarks on her own adventure, seeking freedom and meaning in a harsh world on the fringes of British society. A gripping social-realistic drama about family and the search for connection, in which magic realism shapes Bailey's coming of age.

This latest work by British director Andrea Arnold, known for films such as Fish Tank (2009) and American Honey (2016), was a resounding success at the Cannes Film Festival. After its premiere it received a seven-minute standing ovation and was nominated for both the Palme d’Or and the Queer Palm.