This Oscar-nominated actor stars in a moving drama

Taking conventional poetry

At the age of 12, Bailey (Nikia Adams) lives with her brother Hunter (Jason Buda) and father Bug (Barry Keoghan), who is raising them alone in North Kent. Bugs doesn’t have much time for them, and Bailey, approaching puberty, looks elsewhere for attention and adventure. His meeting with the sweet and mysterious bird (Franz Rogowski) will change his life…

In theaters this week, The Bird is the new feature film from director Andrea Arnold, already known for American Honey, Cowgirl and some episodes of the award-winning series Big Little Lies. Presented at the 77th edition of the Cannes Film Festival last May, where it won the Citizenship Prize, Chitti is embedded in the social and urban reality typical of European countries, reflecting both the harshness of everyday life and moments of fleeting poetry. A delicate and luminous feature film, performed by its two main actors: Barry Keoghan and Nikia Adams.

A larger than life couple

A true rising star after appearing in 2017’s Dunkirk and Killing of the Sacred Deer, the Irish actor Barry Keoghan He has carved out a special place in the cinematic landscape by playing disturbing or unusual roles: the Green Knight, Batman or even the banshees of Inishrein, all important performances in which the bird fits.

His character Buggy, a dysfunctional, overwhelmed and immature father whose nickname emphasizes his chaotic aspect, nevertheless finds a form of redemption in his sincere love for his children. The role, which Barry Keoghan plays to perfection, especially when he uses energy, is full of memories: raised in Dublin in the 90s by a loving but drug-addicted mother, the actor is soon welcomed into a welcoming family with a younger brother.

Refusing to use it to curry favor, Barry Keoghan uses his own personal story for inspiration, as in Bird, the youngest: “I’m talking about letting young people know that no matter where you come from, you can always be successful at what you do.“, he told the BBC last November.

If Barry Keoghan’s personal experience allowed him to deliver a bigger performance, to guarantee Bird’s success he needed an equally talented partner in the role of his son. stroke of luck: Nikia Adams A great find for director Andrea Arnold!

Looking for an excuse to skip class, a very young Nikia Adams accidentally shows up at a feature film casting and seduces the attending team with the unnerving naturalness of her acting, which represents absolutely authentic absurdity. The sincerity of her performance allowed her to take on the role of Bailey, a rebellious but charming teenager who represents a memorable first screen appearance and promises, hopefully, the brightest of her career.

Barry Keoghan and Nikia Adams (but also Franz Rogowski!) wore the poetic and melancholic Bird to see in cinemas now.