Written and directed by Andrea Arnold, Bird had its world premiere at the Barry Keoghan) is "oblivious to the needs of a fledgling teenage girl" and doesn't understand the extent of Bailey's hurt. Bailey seeks solace in nature, as her ability to communicate with animals and connect to the physical world prepares her for what lies ahead.

While Bird is Adams' first feature, Keoghan is known for projects such as Eternals, The Batman, and Saltburn. The actor is also set to star in the Peaky Blinders movie alongside Cillian Murphy. Adams and Keoghan teamed up during their red carpet interviews, with the latter hyping up his co-star's major debut. Adams also showed for Keoghan's roles, displaying incredible comradery between the performers.

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Screen Rant interviewed Keoghan and Adams at the Toronto International Film Festival about what they learned while working together on Bird, as well as their characters' onscreen relationship.

Barry Keoghan And Nykiya Adams Have A Sibling-Like Dynamic In Bird

"There are these fathers that are quite young in real life, and, obviously, they have this comfortableness to argue with one another like brother and sister."

Screen Rant: Nykiya, congratulations on your first feature. What do you each feel like you've learned from each other while filming Bird?

Barry Keoghan: I learned how to dress good. No, I'm always fascinated and always observing what the younger actors bring, and Nykiya didn't have any training, so I was constantly watching and seeing how she approached her work. It was remarkable.

Nykiya Adams: I just learned to be yourself and keep on being you. That's what I learned. That's what I took away from the film.

How would you describe your characters' dynamic?

Barry Keoghan: I think a brother and sister almost. There are these fathers that are quite young in real life, and, obviously, they have this comfortableness to argue with one another like brother and sister, so I kind of treated her like that.

About Andrea Arnold's Bird

"A compelling, ultimately joyous story that tackles themes of identity, sexism, loneliness, and class struggle."

Nykiya Adams floating in the water in Bird.

Twelve-year-old Bailey (played by charismatic newcomer Nykiya Adams) lives with her father Bug (a devoted but emotionally chaotic Barry Keoghan) in a graffiti-strewn tenement. When Bug informs her that he’ll be marrying his new girlfriend soon, Bailey is furious and hurt, for what will become of her? Her mother lives with a violent, cruel man, and while Bug sports a ferocious love for his daughter, he can be oblivious to the needs of a fledgling teenage girl.

As she often does, Bailey retreats to the open fields on the outskirts of her hometown to seek comfort. It is here she is most herself, with an uncanny ability to communicate with animals and experience nature in a profound way. It is on one of these walks that Bailey has a mysterious, yet deeply meaningful, encounter that helps her when she must force a confrontation with her mother’s vicious partner.

Check out some of our other TIFF 2024 interviews here:

Bird premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 7.

Source: Screen Rant Plus

Bird
Release Date
November 8, 2024

WHERE TO WATCH

Streaming
RENT
5/10

Bird follows 12-year-old Bailey, who lives with her single father Bug and brother Hunter in North Kent. As her father pays little attention to her, Bailey, on the brink of adolescence, seeks adventure and connection beyond her challenging home life.

Cast
Barry Keoghan, Franz Rogowski, Rhys Yates, Jasmine Jobson, Joanne Matthews, James Nelson-Joyce, Frankie Box, Jason Williamson, Carlos O'Connell
Runtime
119 Minutes
Director
Andrea Arnold
Writers
Andrea Arnold
Studio(s)
Pinky Promise, Access Entertainment, BBC Film, BFI, House Productions, FirstGen Content
Main Genre
Drama