British filmmaker Andrea Arnold returned to the Cannes Film Festival to present her latest feature, Bird. A harrowing narrative that contemplates the transition from girlhood to womanhood, Arnold uses magical realism to capture preteen angst with a strong desire for existential freedom. With three Cannes Jury prizes already to her name, the director aimed to dig deep into the chaos of life when violence and uncertainty are at the forefront. Unfortunately, the attempt to dissect real-world concerns from a preteen perspective is clouded by poor directional choices.