November 5: Ali & Ava

This week’s film is Ali & Ava, directed by Clio Barnard.

Set in 2016 in a working-class, predominantly white English housing estate, we meet landlord Ali, a man of Pakistani descent who lives with his grieving, soon-to-be ex-wife, Runa. One day, he meets school teacher Ava, a mother of adult children. A friendship, built on a mutual love of music, gradually develops between the two, and deepens into something more.

However, as the relationship flourishes, they individually struggle to overcome their own familial entanglements and prejudices. Without taking the spotlight, Barnard subtly explores themes around race, religion and older love, while dialogue takes the back seat.

Ali & Ava has strong links to two of Barnard’s previous films, The Arbor (2010) and The Selfish Giant (2013). For example, the two protagonists are based on real people the director met during filming both. During production of the former, she met Moey Hassan, a British actor and landlord, who formed the character of Ali. Similarly, while working on her 2013 film, she met writer and teacher Rio at a Bradford school, which determined the personality of Ava, and the story’s setting. Funnily enough, neither of these people had met each other until the film was released.

Described as an “essay in acceptance and love” (The Guardian), Ali & Ava was nominated for dozens of awards at festivals including the BAFTAs, the British Independent Film Awards and the Chlotrudis Awards. Acclaim was specifically directed towards Adeel Akhtar’s performance as Ali– he was nominated for Best Leading Actor at the BAFTAs for his role.

Ali & Ava is screening this Sunday, 5 November at 7pm to all IFS members at the Gala. With only two more films left to go in the season, you don't want to miss this inspiring drama!