Clio Barnard’s ‘The Arbor’ announced her on to the scene as a major new talent. She follows it with this outstanding slice of social realism, a piece of work in the vein of Ken Loach’s finest.
It follows two young lads, Arbor and Swifty, living in the estates of Bradford and follows some of the difficulties they face among the people at school and in their family lives. They try to make a name for themselves in sourcing and selling scrap around town, something that comes at the expense of their education and their future existence.
The main performances are superb and Barnard presents the story with great sympathy. This is a film that could certainly survive multiple viewings and always deliver.
Freeburner 