Days of the Bagnold Summer

(Screening with short film GLEN)... First-time director Simon Bird spins a bittersweet tale of the complexities of family and teenage strife, starring Earl Cave (son of Australian powerhouse talent Nick Cave) and his librarian mum Sue. Dad is long gone – off to Florida and a new fiancée – and Daniel has been invited out for the wedding. The invitation is both a respite from the boredom of school holidays and a token of his dad’s love, so when it’s retracted, Daniel is hurt and lashes out at his baffled mum. With strong performances, this debut feature brings a gentle coming-of-age, funny tale that acts as love-letter to single mums, introverts, suburbia and that great stretch of summer.