Ali & Ava

Panorama

"A charming and heartfelt drama"

THE GUARDIAN
  • Archive - Festival 37
  • Director: Clio Barnard
  • United Kingdom 2021
  • 94 minutes
  • English
  • Subtitles in Hebrew

Both lonely for different reasons, Ali and Ava meet through their shared affection for Sofia (6), the child of Ali’s Slovakian tenants, whom Ava teaches.  Ali finds comfort in Ava’s warmth and kindness and Ava finds Ali’s complexity and humor irresistible.  Over a lunar month, sparks fly and a deep connection begins to grow.  However, the legacy of Ava’s past relationship and Ali’s emotional turmoil at the breakdown of his marriage begin to overshadow their newfound passion.

The latest film from acclaimed British writer-director Clio Barnard (The Selfish Giant) is a tumultuous, fiercely affecting working-class love story enveloped in music and imbued with humor.

Filmography: Dark River (2017), The Selfish Giant (2013), The Arbor (2010, doc).


  • Director Clio Barnard
  • Production Tracy O'Riordan
  • Script Clio Barnrard
  • Cinematography Ole Bratt Birkeland
  • Editing Maya Maffioli
  • Music Harry Escott
  • Festivals Cannes, Toronto, Karlovy Vary
  • Actors Claire Rushbrook, Adeel Akhtar
  • Source The Festival Agency, Paris