LastattheFestivalwith2017’sruralnoirDarkRiver,aselectioninthePlatformprogramme,writerdirectorClioBarnardreturnstotheBradford,WestYorkshiresettingofherearlierfilmsforthistumultuous,fiercelyaffectingmidlifelovestory　　Abundleofgoodhumourandnervousenergy,AliAdeelAkhtarisaBritishPakistaniworkingclasslandlordwhoforgesclosebondswithhistenantsOneday,whilepickinguponeofhistenants’childrenfromschool,heoffersalifttoAvaClaireRushbrook,anIrishbornteacherandsinglemotheroffiveTheybondalmostinstantlythroughtheirloveofmusic,thoughAlifavoursthehighenergyofBuzzcocksandhiphopwhileAvatakesrefugeinthequietercomfortsofBobDylanandKarenDaltonDespitetheirdivergentbackgrounds,differencesintheirstagesoflife,andthecolouroftheirskin,despitethefactofAli’sfailingmarriageandAva’sfraughtrelationshipwithheradultandadolescentchildren,eachfindsthemselfirresistiblydrawntotheotherButcantheirmutualdesiretranscendabarrageofpersonalobstacles　　InspiredbypeopleBarnardencounteredwhilemakingheracclaimedfeaturesTheArborandTheSelfishGiant,Ali:Avaisafilmthatfeelsprofoundlyrootedinlivedexperience,blendingatenderemotionalcomplexitywithanattimesbracingdepictionoftraumaandgriefAkhtarandRushbrook’sfinelyhuedperformancesspeaktothesetting’sculturaldiversityandtriballoyaltieswhileyieldingavulnerabilitythat’salternatelyheartwrenchingandjoyousTheirstoryservesasareminderthatitissometimestheleastlikelyconnectionsthataretheonesmostworthpursuing