Ali & Ava

  • Screening Dates: 20th October, 6pm  //  27th October, 8pm
  • Starring: Claire Rushbrook, Adeel Akhtar
  • Directed by: Clio Barnard
  • Running time: 95 mins
  • Rating: M
Synopsis:
DRAMA:
Don’t Miss This Film! Rave review by Mark Kermode, The Guardian ****

Time-worn Ava [Claire Rushbrook], an Irish-British teacher’s assistant, single mum (and now, grandmother) has been around the block enough for a dozen lifetimes. So she is understandably cynical when potential romance beckons with the manically cheerful Ali [Adeel Akhtar], a Pakistani-British part-time DJ. 

Despite their instant attraction, life is just too complicated. Ava has an overprotective teenage son and Ali is “separated” from but still living with his younger wife. So any headlong rush into a relationship, (especially with their clashing musical tastes) would be disasterous. But in spite of their polarised approaches to life, Ava and Ali find themselves becoming increasingly involved with each other.  

This refreshingly authentic depiction of finding love right on your doorstep and from unlikely directions, abounds with humour and the transformative power of song. Whanau Marama NZ International Film Festival