Ali & Ava

Two Brits from different backgrounds and origins, British Pakistani Ali and Irish-born Ava, meet. Despite their mismatched musical tastes and all the turmoil in their lives, we quickly realize that there is something pulling them together - and that nothing will be easy: Ava’s children from her aggressive ex-husband and Ali’s falling marriage and his family’s reluctance to accept a “white” woman. These things will test these two tired hearts, who come to each other with good intentions and hesitations. Clio Barnard’s sensitive camera, perceptive to details and the current realities of England, once again reveals her masterful language in this little love film, manages to establish something seemingly paradoxical, a coldblooded romance with surprising naturalness, thanks to the equally natural performances of the leading actors.

CLIO BARNARD

Clio Barnard’s first feature-length documentary film, The Arbor, about Bradford playwright Andrea Dunbar, received huge critical success on its release in 2010 and numerous awards. Her second feature, The Selfish Giant, premiered at Cannes Director’s Fortnight 2013 where it won the Europa Cinema Label Award for Best European Film. It was nominated for a BAFTA for Outstanding British Film in 2013. Her third feature, Dark River, starred Ruth Wilson, Mark Stanley and Sean Bean. The film premiered at the 2017 Toronto Film Festival (winning an Honourable Mention). Currently she is in production with the eagerly anticipated period television adaptation of The Essex Serpent.