About London Film Festival: Bird
Young Bailey feels caged in her Gravesend squat home. Reckless, wannabe drug dealer dad Bug plans to marry his new girlfriend. Older brother Hunter plots to elope with his underage partner. Meanwhile, across town, Bailey’s near-feral younger siblings are menaced by her mum’s new and violent lover. Small wonder she’s intrigued by the enigmatic Bird, a flighty free spirit searching for his own roots. Arnold (Fish Tank, American Honey) once again displays her wondrous ability to infuse coming-of-age stories focused on marginalized lives with uncompromising grit and a sensual connection to nature.
The pulsating soundtrack and lived-in performances (newcomer Adams is a standout) are perhaps expected. But Bird also sees Arnold pushing in new directions, incorporating not just social, but magical realism – an unexpectedly transformative addition that helps her wild, shapeshifting film soar.
Please note there will be no trailers or ads for this screening.
Pre-screening short film
Barricade
Dir: Alice Johannessen
Cast: Zara Nisa, Oliver Roddy
10 mins
After experiencing a traumatic event on her school bus, Aleena bottles up her anger until a chance connection triggers a small act of rebellion.
MAC's BFI London Film Festival pre-screening short films are all made in the Midlands by Midlands filmmakers.
BFI London Film Festival
Presented with the 68th BFI London Film Festival in partnership with American Express.
Booking info
To book Accessible tickets and free Companion tickets, please visit our Accessible Bookings page. Companion tickets will initially show a standard ticket price, but once your account is set-up and you are logged in, this will be reduced to £0 at checkout.
Duration includes trailers, adverts and any Q&A/panel. For events such as NT Live, Colour Box and Reel & Meal there will be minimal advertising. We do not admit latecomers after the main feature has started and we have a limited food & drink policy.
MAC’s cinema programme has been generously supported by BFI Film Audience Network and Film Hub Midlands.
