About

The Arbor is a fascinating blend of documentary and fictional filmmaking conventions that present a unique portrait of troubled British playwright Andrea Dunbar, whose work captured the complexity of England's poor neighbourhoods. The film consists of concurrent narratives which work as layers of Dunbar’s life, culminating in a searingly honest and authentic account of the writer and her work. Director Clio Barnard employs archival footage and performances of Dunbar’s plays alongside audio interviews with Dunbar's family, friends, and neighbours which actors lip-sync, flawlessly interpreting every breath, tick, and nuance.

Barnard successfully navigates away from the more banal trappings of documenting someone’s life on film. Instead, the director communicates with gripping immediacy the emotional tenor of Dunbar’s experience - the challenges she faced and the impact she had on other’s lives.

Ages 18+ | Strong themes, discussion of sexual violence

Ages 18+