A Raw, Mystical Picture of Real Life
There are directors whose names alone make actors jump at the chance – even if they haven’t seen the script yet. A mood, a playlist, or a single line is often enough to get a go. And the British director Andrea Arnold belongs to this rare breed.
An artwork in its core – background work
Andrea Arnold – writer and director of Bird – usually builds her films around a single image popping up in her mind. This time, it was a tall, bony, naked man in a state of erection. That’s where the creative process started – and where it ended was a socio-cultural drama infused with mystical elements.
She described that very image to Franz Rogowski and offered him the role of Bird – and he was instantly drawn to it. Alongside the image, he got a playlist mixed by the director-writer herself – a sonic world that helped him tune into the character’s vibe and the mood of the movie.
While the Irish wild card Barry Keoghan (pronounced “kjööghan”, that’s a big help!) took on the role of Bug without even reading the script. Having grown up in foster care, it had been his teenage dream to one day work with the iconic director – so the trust came naturally. And yes, he got his music, too. In fact, even during breaks on set, Andrea’s own mixes played from her handheld Bluetooth speaker – because, as it turns out, she’s a passionate amateur DJ who’s really into music.
Good to know: Arnold often casts amateur actors in her films – and Bird has been no exception. She believes they bring a raw, lived-in authenticity. Their presence spices up the work, and their outsider status lends a kind of thrilling unpredictability to the shoot. For her, assembling the cast isn’t just a casting session – it’s a soulful, creative ritual. She likens it to collecting seashells on the beach. She sculpts the team based on personalities, energy, and vibes – and that’s what makes the work both artsy and fun.
“No one is no one”
For Andrea Arnold, dialogue is never filler – it’s a vital emotional layer to the scenes, a compressed truth, and a driving force in the narrative. The most important line in Bird comes from Barry Keoghan, in a heated argument with his on-screen daughter, Bailey (played by Nykiya Adams):
“No one is no one.” Simple. True.
The Film
Bird portrays the lives of squatters in England. Set in the lower third of British society, dramatic events unfold with natural ease, while the picture never loses its artistic integrity.
It’s a story about family, about sticking together – and about a friend. The story is unpredictable, which makes it easy to forgive Andrea Arnold for the occasional mystical scene that feels a bit naïve. Because on the other side of the scale, there’s the story itself. Reality, unfiltered – and there’s nothing repulsive or pity-inducing about it. Just powerlessness, actions, and consequences. At the same time the beauty of nature comes alive so softly, so sincerely, it sweeps the viewer in almost without notice.
You get pulled into the story.
And in art-house cinemas – thankfully – Bird is soaring.
The original, version of the article is here
Source:
Festival de Cannes – BIRD – Press Conference
Variety Barry Keoghan Agreed to Make ‘Bird’ Before Even Reading the Script
The Guardian – Chaos is great
Photo: festival-cannes.com
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