Cannes 2024 - Bird by Andrea Arnold

Andrea Arnold’s Bird begins as a quintessential Andrea Arnold film: gritty, intimate, and unflinchingly real. Shot in her signature style, with handheld cameras and natural lighting, the film immerses you in the lives of its characters from the very first frame. But as the story unfolds, it reveals a depth of emotion and an unexpected tenderness that transcends Arnold’s usual social realism. By the end, Bird becomes something profoundly poetic, a film that lingers in the heart long after the credits roll. 

Set in a working-class community in Kent, Bird follows 12-year-old Bailey (Nykiya Adams), a spirited yet vulnerable girl navigating the complexities of her fractured family when a stranger in more ways than ones comes into her life: Bug (Franz Rogowski), a charismatic, unusual figure. Rogowski, in a performance that only he could deliver, brings a magnetic intensity to the role, blending charm and volatility in equal measure, his portrayal of Bug is both captivating and heartfelt. 

Arnold’s direction is as assured as ever, capturing the rhythms of everyday life in Britain with a keen eye for detail. The film’s early scenes feel almost documentary-like in their authenticity, with the camera lingering on small, intimate moments. As the narrative progresses, Bird shifts into more lyrical territory, weaving in elements of magical realism that elevate the story. The film’s emotional core lies in its exploration of family, resilience, and the search for belonging. Bailey’s journey is one of quiet strength, as she grapples with the chaos around her while holding onto a sense of hope and wonder. Nykiya Adams delivers a remarkable performance, her expressive eyes conveying a world of emotion with minimal dialogue. Her chemistry with Rogowski is electric, their scenes together brimming with a raw, unspoken tenderness. 

 What sets Bird apart from Arnold’s previous work is its embrace of poetry, with her usual themes od freedom and transformation, giving the film a sense of magic and possibility. This subtle shift in tone allows Arnold to explore her themes with a newfound depth, culminating in a final act that is as emotionally devastating as it is beautiful. The film’s emotional resonance and Arnold’s ability to balance realism with poetic abstraction will delight her usual fans and is a testament to her evolution as a filmmaker. While it retains the raw, unfiltered quality that has defined her work, it also ventures into new territory, embracing a lyrical sensibility that elevates it to something truly special. 

No one seems to be able to portray life in Britain the way Andrea Arnold does, with a genuine affection for her characters and here she does it with a lighter touch adding some unexpected poetry.

Review by Laurent de Alberti

Star rating: ★★★★★

Official Selection, in competition.

Bird. Directed by Andrea Arnold. Starring Nykiya Adams, Franz Rogowski...