Bird

Andrea Arnold returns to the festival with a touching tale centered on a distracted father, Bug (Barry Keoghan, SALTBURN), and his imaginative 12-year-old daughter, Bailey (Nykiya Adams), who seeks attention and adventure elsewhere. Living in a graffiti-covered tenement, Bailey feels abandoned when Bug announces his upcoming marriage. Her mother's abusive relationship leaves Bailey feeling even more isolated. Though Bug loves his daughter fiercely, he struggles to meet the emotional needs of a young girl on the brink of adolescence. Bailey often escapes to the fields on the outskirts of town, where she connects deeply with nature and animals. During one of these walks, she experiences a mysterious and meaningful encounter that empowers her to confront her mother’s abusive partner. Andrea Arnold's latest film is a compelling exploration of identity, loneliness, and class struggle, infused with a touch of magic realism. Through her empathetic lens, Arnold transforms this story into a joyous ode to the bittersweet transition from childhood to adolescence, highlighting beauty amid adversity.