The 40th Cambridge Film Festival kicked off with its opening film Ali & Ava – the latest effort from British director Clio Barnard.

All her previous films are easily accessible digitally. Documentary-of-sorts The Arbor can be found on MUBI or the BFI Player. The Ken Loach-esque The Selfish Giant is also available on the BFI Player, while rural noir Dark River can be found on the Arrow Player.

Over the past decade, Barnard has positioned herself as a prominent figure in ‘British miserabilism’ cinema – films that depict British social realism in its most harsh and heavy form.

Ali & Ava is certainly a form of social realism but where it deviates from the ‘miserabilism’ tag is the sense of hope it emits throughout. This is in large part due to the two lead protagonists. They are both dealing with their own internal struggles of loss but when Claire Rushbrook and Adeel Akhtar are on screen together they carry such life-affirming energy that the film feels uplifting. The chemistry is so natural and trusting that as an audience it’s easy to get swept up in their love story.

Their connection is initially built upon music and the prominence of music plays a large role in the film’s ability to leave a lasting impression once it’s over. We have a beautiful silent disco sequence that really shows off the raw, human connection between these two characters but there are also quieter moments, especially with Ali, where music is used to block out feelings more than as a catharsis to inner torment. It’s in these moments where Ali & Ava is at its most potent. Coupled with the aforementioned lead performances and a Bradford captured on film that feels authentic and cinematic, and Ali & Ava was a surprisingly immersive and elevating opening to the Cambridge Film Festival.

Ali & Ava will be released in the United Kingdom by Altitude Films on 4th February.