Someone passing through childhood and entering adolescence is described as a time when significant changes begin to occur. This transformation is not only physical but also mental, impacting how one views life. It’s a phase when children start seeking heroic representations from the outside world, becoming fascinated by various heroes.
Until then, parents often seem like large characters, but as time progresses, children begin to perceive them more as flawed individuals. However, once they start to understand what their parents say, their feelings of animosity towards them gradually change. This is the story of a young English girl facing life amidst hormonal turbulence during adolescence, depicted in the 2024 independent film “Bird.”
When mentioning England, many often think of the “empire on which the sun never sets,” a magnificent kingdom built on subjugating numerous countries around the world. Alternatively, London is viewed as a global capital with landmarks like the London Bridge, Big Ben, and Buckingham Palace. Nevertheless, this island remains etched in our memory as one of the world’s most powerful states.
However, a different picture emerges when you ascend to the top floor of a building amidst rows of terraced houses and gaze below. The walls are adorned with graffiti, and you see impoverished scenes of young groups indulging in various drugs, children born into families who might not even know their own grandparents and chaotic home lives. These aspects are what one witnesses in the backdrop of “Bird.”
The Complexity of Adolescence: Bailey’s Story
The story revolves around a girl named Bailey, who lives in such an environment. At 12 years old, she finds herself straddling the line between childhood and adolescence. Bailey resides with her father, Bug, and Hunter, the child of Bug’s previous marriage. Hunter engages in petty thefts and crimes for fun.
Bug sells drugs, often hosting parties at home with his drug-affiliated friends. Meanwhile, he is also looking to get married again, which Bailey is not very fond of. One day, Bailey accidentally meets an unusual-looking person while wearing a dress. This individual is searching for someone. Bailey, being a generally introverted child, isn’t keen to engage with strangers, but they meet again another day. Who is this person searching for? What events will unfold in Bailey and Hunter’s lives? To find out, one must watch the film “Bird.”
Andrea Arnold: The Visionary Behind ‘Bird’
“Bird” was created as an independent film, meaning it has been produced outside the framework of a major production company. It has been nominated as one of the best independent films of 2024 by the National Film Review Board based in New York City. Directed by Andrea Arnold, known for popular films among enthusiasts like “American Honey” and “Fish Tank,” it showcases her distinctive style.
The Role of Barry Keoghan: A Break from Villainy
Moreover, one cannot discuss this film without mentioning Barry Keoghan’s performance. While we have often seen him in villainous roles, in this film, he portrays the character of a father (Bug). This is an opportunity to see him embody a father figure, even though he plays a role that is far younger than in reality. However, one might wonder if a young actor like Barry can convincingly play a father. Yet, through the film, we see that Bug is indeed quite young, as are many in that environment.
Symbolism of Birds: Freedom and Transformation
As the title suggests, birds serve as a symbolic motif throughout the film. We see flocks of birds soaring freely in the sky, representing freedom. If observed this way, one might wonder if Bailey and Bug live similarly without any profound goals, just navigating life by seizing whatever comes their way, leading an unsteady yet liberating existence.
The children who grow up in such environments ultimately succumb to the harsh realities of life. A prime example of this is Hunter. Within any society, such individuals exist, often overlooked by the “enlightened” world around them. However, if true values exist in life, the film unveils what those might be by the end. “Bird” is indeed one of the year’s finest works for this reason.
Conclusion: Why ‘Bird’ is a Must-See Film
Nevertheless, this film has only grossed around $750,000. Its success as an independent film is particularly noteworthy. This is because the value obtained from a low-budget film is usually minimal. However, creating a quality film like this does not require a huge budget. Expensive technical equipment is unnecessary. Thus, it is incredibly important for aspiring film-makers to watch “Bird” to understand how to create a quality film with minimal resources.
