BFF25 The Choral

Yorkshire, 1916, as World War I ravages the English countryside and strips small towns of their men, the local choral society faces near collapse. In a move borne of desperation, they turn to Dr. Guthrie (Festival favourite Ralph Fiennes), a formal and exacting choir master recently returned from Germany, to rebuild their singing ranks by recruiting adolescents in place of grown men at war. As Dr. Guthrie pushes these young voices toward a performance of Elgar’s The Dream of Gerontius, the teenagers wrestle with impending conscription, growing up in the shadow of loss, love, and national tension. With original screenplay by Alan Bennett, his first new film script in decades, alongside Fiennes the film stars Roger Allam and Mark Addy. With sweeping landscapes, choral harmonies, and intimate moments of transformation, the film explores the power of community, music, and art to heal in the darkest times. The Choral stands as both dedication and celebration delivering a story of voices raised together, even when separated by war.

BFF25 Anemone

From first-time feature director Ronan Day-Lewis comes Anemone, a haunting, resonant exploration of fractured kinship and the trauma that lingers across generations. Co-written with his father, Daniel Day-Lewis, who makes his return to the screen after an eight-year hiatus, this film is as much a personal reckoning as it is a dramatic revelation. Set in the mist-shrouded woods of Northern England, Sean Bean’s Jem ventures from suburban life into the forested isolation of his estranged brother Ray (Day-Lewis), a man burdened by a traumatic past and lost to the world. Their reunion ignites a delicate dance of accusation, remembrance, and the fragile hope of redemption. With painterly cinematography by Ben Fordesman, a taut and lyrical score by Bobby Krlic, and a supporting cast including Samantha Morton and Samuel Bottomley, Anemone is a boldly intimate, emotionally charged drama anchored by Day-Lewis and Bean’s mesmersing performances. A cinematic homecoming and a fearless creation, Anemone probes the chasms between fathers, sons, and brothers with unflinching clarity.

BFF25 The History of Sound

Paul Mescal and Britain’s Josh O’Connor deliver luminous performances in this sweeping, elegiac romance set against the backdrop of early twentieth-century America. Adapted from Ben Shattuck’s celebrated short story, the film follows Lionel (Mescal), a gifted farm-boy with synesthesia (a phenomenon that causes sensory crossovers), and David (O’Connor), a fellow music student he meets at the New England Conservatory in 1917. Their connection deepens through a shared devotion to folk music, yet the onset of World War I pulls them apart with David sent to the front lines and Lionel back to Kentucky. Reunited after the war, the pair embark on a journey through rural Maine, capturing voices and songs on fragile wax cylinders, preserving a vanishing cultural heritage even as their own lives diverge. Crafted with breathtaking restraint, Oliver Hermanus’ film of quiet textures and haunting silences, sees landscapes echo memory and sound itself becomes a vessel of longing. The History of Sound is both an intimate love story and cultural elegy, a tender meditation on music, memory, and the ways love endures through loss.

BFF25 Hamnet

1580 England. Impoverished Latin tutor William Shakespeare meets free-spirited Agnes, and the pair, captivated by one another, strike up a torrid affair that leads to marriage and three children. Yet as Will pursues a budding theater career in far-away London, Agnes anchors the domestic sphere alone. When tragedy strikes, the couple’s once-unshakable bond is tested, but their shared experience sets the stage for the creation of Shakespeare’s timeless masterpiece, Hamlet. From Academy Award® winning filmmaker Chloé Zhao (Nomadland, The Rider) comes a sensitively observed, magnificently crafted tale about the complexities of love and the healing power of art and creativity. A luminous adaptation of Maggie O’Farrell’s internationally celebrated novel, Hamnet reframes the story of William Shakespeare through the eyes of his wife, Agnes, portrayed with breathtaking depth by Jessie Buckley, alongside Paul Mescal’s compelling Shakespeare. Having premiered at Telluride before winning the People’s Choice Award at the Toronto International Film Festival, Hamnet immerses us in the fragile joys and shattering sorrows of family life in 16th-century Stratford.

BFF25 Twiggy

Twiggy captures the rise of a cultural icon who reshaped beauty, fashion, and fame. In the late 1960s, Twiggy’s striking look, wide eyes, sharp pixie cut, and fearless individuality, catapulted her from London teenager to global phenomenon almost overnight. More than a chronicle of her meteoric career, this is an intimate portrait of a woman learning to navigate the intense spotlight of celebrity while forging her own identity. Directed by Sadie Frost, who previously helmed the documentary Quant (BFF2021), this new work blends rare archival material with vivid storytelling, immersing audiences in the energy of Swinging London and the era’s cultural revolution. Stylish, bold, and emotionally rich, Twiggy offers a fresh perspective on a figure who transformed the way we think about beauty and self-expression. A story of influence, reinvention, and enduring relevance, Twiggy examines not only the image that defined a generation but also the creative drive and resilience behind it.

BFF25 John Cleese Packs It In

At 85, John Cleese isn’t easing into retirement - he’s hitting the road in John Cleese Packs It In, a wry, often poignant documentary that accompanies one of his most ambitious undertakings. Over six weeks, Cleese performs 23 shows across 16 European cities in five countries, battling travel chaos, creaking joints, and his own stubborn urge to keep going. But this isn’t simply a performance film, it’s also a backstage glimpse at a comedy legend reckoning with time, legacy, and public expectation. As he reflects on six decades of work—from Cambridge Footlights to Monty Python, Fawlty Towers, and A Fish Called Wanda, we see not just the polished icon, but the vulnerabilities beneath: fatigue, doubt, and the occasional absurd indignity of aging in the spotlight. With 90 minutes of intimate access and off-guard moments, John Cleese Packs It In is equal parts tribute and reckoning. Audiences will laugh, maybe wince, and almost certainly be moved, as Cleese confronts the question everyone has: if this is the end of the road, how do you bow out on your own terms? Silly Walks optional.

BFF25 Dead of Winter

A storm is coming — and it’s bringing more than snow. Emma Thompson delivers a powerhouse turn in Dead of Winter, UK director Brian Kirk’s icy, nerve-shredding thriller. Barb, a widowed fisherwoman, sets out across the frozen backroads to scatter her husband’s ashes. But when a blizzard cuts her off from help, her solitary journey collides with terror: a kidnapped teenage girl hidden in a remote cabin, guarded by a desperate and volatile couple. What follows is a gripping descent into survival where every gust of wind and creak of wood tightens the noose. Thompson grounds the film with steel and vulnerability, while Judy Greer and Marc Menchaca radiate menace in roles that twist unpredictably. Nicholas Jacobson-Larson and Dalton Leeb’s script crackles with tension, and Kirk’s stark direction transforms snowbound isolation into a character of its own. Visually striking, emotionally fierce, and utterly relentless, Dead of Winter is not just a thriller — it’s a storm of suspense you’ll feel in your bones long after the end credit rolls.

BFF25 I Swear

Bold, poignant, and infused with unexpected humor, I Swear tells the extraordinary story of John Davidson, a young man whose life takes a sharp turn in the 1980s when he begins to experience the sudden onset of Tourette syndrome. At a time when the condition was largely unrecognised and misunderstood, John’s world expands in ways that few could imagine. His unfiltered voice, once seen as disruptive, becomes a rallying point for understanding and change, carving out a space where honesty, individuality, and courage shine through. Robert Aramayo embodies John with remarkable energy and depth, capturing the raw humanity of a figure who insists on being heard. Maxine Peake, Shirley Henderson, and Peter Mullan deliver performances that illuminate the warmth, wit, and resilience that surround him. Kirk Jones directs with a balance of compassion and sharp observation, weaving together moments of laughter and heartbreak into a resonant cinematic experience. I Swear is more than a portrait of one man’s journey, it is a powerful affirmation of identity and the transformative power of voice.

BFF25 Fackham Hall

Step into a delightfully absurd world of class, cricket, and cunning in Fackham Hall — a gleefully irreverent spoof on the grandeur of period drama. In this riotous comedy of manners, lovable pickpocket Eric Noone (Ben Radcliffe) insinuates himself into the storied Davenport estate, sparking a forbidden romance with Rose Davenport (Thomasin McKenzie). But as family rivalries bubble and scandals erupt — including a disastrous wedding and a sudden murder — Eric finds himself framed, his future and Rose’s hanging in the balance. With a stellar ensemble cast including Katherine Waterston, Tom Felton, Emma Laird and Damian Lewis, Fackham Hall delights in skewering the rules of aristocratic decorum while still tugging at the heart. Conceived in the spirit of Airplane! and The Naked Gun, it lampoons Downton Abbey-style tropes with rapid-fire wit and affectionate derision. This is Jimmy Carr’s screenwriting debut, and his love for the absurd infuses every line from high tea to low skulduggery. Fackham Hall will leave audiences chuckling behind their gloved hands and eager for another scandal at the manor. Pearl clutching optional.

BFF25 Billy Elliot 25th Anniversary

A heartwarming story that has danced its way into cinema history, Billy Elliot returns to the big screen for its 25th anniversary. Set against the backdrop of the 1984–85 miners’ strike in Northern England, Stephen Daldry’s award-winning film follows 11-year-old Billy, a boy whose world changes the moment he stumbles into a ballet class. What begins as curiosity transforms into a passion that challenges expectations, defies tradition, and sparks a battle between grit and grace. Jamie Bell delivers a breakout performance as Billy, capturing the vulnerability, determination, and joy of a child discovering his true calling. With powerhouse support from Julie Walters and Gary Lewis, and a script penned by Lee Hall, the film remains as inspiring and poignant today as it was upon release in 2000. Celebrated for its uplifting message, striking performances, and unforgettable dance sequences, Billy Elliot is not just about ballet, it’s about courage, identity, and the transformative power of art. Join us in celebrating 25 years of this beloved classic that continues to move audiences worldwide.

BFF25 Christmas Karma

Christmas Karma is a dazzling new musical reimagining of Charles Dickens’ timeless A Christmas Carol. Gurinder Chadha (Bend It Like Beckham) transports the story into a vibrant, multicultural present-day London, fusing tradition with bold modernity. At its heart is Mr. Sood (Kunal Nayyar), a wealthy British-Indian tycoon whose greed and prejudice blind him to the struggles of those around him. On Christmas Eve, three spectral guides arrive—Eva Longoria as the Ghost of Christmas Past, Billy Porter as the exuberant Present, and Boy George as the chilling Future. Together, they unravel Sood’s hidden wounds, confront his callous choices, and reveal the devastating path he is heading toward. Infused with bhangra beats, gospel harmonies, rap interludes and beloved carols, the film’s soundtrack is as eclectic and heartfelt as its message. With a glittering cast that also includes Hugh Bonneville, Charithra Chandran, Pixie Lott, and Danny Dyer, Christmas Karma is a radiant celebration of identity, redemption, and the power of community spirit.

BFF25 Rabbit Trap

In a hypnotic folk-horror fever dream set in 1976 Wales, married musicians Darcy (Dev Patel) and Daphne Davenport (Rosy McEwen) forsake London’s noise for a countryside retreat, hoping to channel nature’s hidden voices into their art. When Darcy inadvertently steps into a fairy ring, they unlock a sound beyond comprehension and invite an otherworldly child (Jade Croot) into their home, whose presence may be as benevolent as it is menacing. Darcy begins to descend into obsession, while Daphne unspools her own inner anxieties beneath a calm exterior. Together they are pulled deeper into folklore’s murk, crossing a spectral line between innocence and something more uncanny. Shot on warm 35mm film, the soundscape is constructed around analogue electronics amplifying every rustle, drip, and breath into a shiver of dread. A quietly unnerving chamber piece, Rabbit Trap lingers in the shadows beckoning you to question just how far you’ll go to capture the right note.

BFF25 The Thing with Feathers

When a young father, portrayed with heart-rending vulnerability by Benedict Cumberbatch, loses his wife, the home he shares with his two sons becomes a place heavy with silence. Into that silence bursts an enormous crow - a presence that is loud, unpredictable, and impossible to ignore. More than just an intruder, the bird becomes a force that mirrors their grief: sometimes cruel, sometimes comical, and, at unexpected moments, strangely protective. Based on Max Porter’s celebrated novella Grief Is the Thing with Feathers, the film brings the metaphor vividly to life, showing how the crow invades their routines, unsettles their world, and refuses to let them retreat from sorrow. Yet as days unfold, what first feels monstrous becomes a companion of sorts and pushes the family to confront pain, remember love, and discover a way forward. Visually arresting and emotionally resonant, The Thing with Feathers is a powerful exploration of loss that reminds us healing often arrives in the most unexpected of forms.

BFF25 & Sons

A sweeping yet deeply intimate portrait of family, inheritance, and the fragile ties that shape identity. When world-renowned but reclusive novelist Andrew Dyer (Bill Nighy) summons his estranged children to New York, the reunion sparks a collision of grief, memory, and long-buried secrets. As the brothers navigate their father’s towering shadow, questions of legacy, love, and belonging rise to the surface with piercing urgency. Anchored by Nighy’s elegant and layered performance, the film is elevated by a remarkable ensemble: George MacKay, Noah Jupe, and Johnny Flynn embody the fractured sons with unflinching vulnerability, capturing the raw ache of rivalry and reconciliation. Imelda Staunton brings depth and warmth as Isabel Platt, a figure who threads together past and present, while Dominic West delivers a quietly riveting turn that hints at hidden truths within the Dyer family. With luminous cinematography and a score that resonates long after the final frame, & Sons is a stirring meditation on the stories we inherit—and the ones we choose to write anew.

BFF25 Becoming Hitchcock - The Legacy of Blackmail

Step inside the thrilling origins of a master filmmaker with Becoming Hitchcock – The Legacy of Blackmail. This captivating documentary revisits Alfred Hitchcock’s Blackmail (1929), a pivotal film that not only transitioned cinema from its silent origins but also crystallised the stylistic and thematic DNA of Hitchcock’s career. Director Laurent Bouzereau blends rare archival material, insightful commentary, and dynamic visual analysis to reveal how Blackmail became the blueprint for Hitchcock’s suspenseful storytelling. Through a fascinating exploration of both the silent and sound versions, the film highlights the iconic director’s daring experimentation with sound design, editing, and point-of-view. From the unsettling use of subjective perspective to the unforgettable presence of the vulnerable yet resourceful blonde heroine, audiences can trace the early emergence of Hitchcock’s iconic trademarks. Narrated with elegance by esteemed film critic Elvis Mitchell, this is more than a cinematic study, it’s a rediscovery of a film that marked the birth of modern thrillers and offers a front-row seat to the making of a legend.

BFF25 Borrowed Time: Lennon's Last Decade

Borrowed Time: Lennon’s Last Decade is a compelling new documentary that captures John Lennon in the extraordinary final decade. It journeys through his post-Beatles years, tracing the triumphs, contradictions, and ambitions that shaped a decade of reinvention. With rare archival footage, candid first-hand accounts, and newly uncovered stories, the film portrays the humanity of Lennon: an artist rediscovering his voice, a dreamer who believed there was “nothing to get hung about,” and an activist urging the world to “give peace a chance.” From the turbulence of his “Lost Weekend” to the serenity of family life in New York, from immigration battles to the optimism of his comeback with Double Fantasy, this documentary paints a vivid portrait of an icon on the cusp of renewal. Both intimate and expansive, it’s a moving reflection on love, legacy, and the passage of time—because, as Lennon once sang, “life is what happens while you’re busy making other plans.”

BFF25 Dragonfly

This compassionate drama from writer-director Paul Andrew Williams, gradually sharpens into a nerve-pricking psychological thriller as the serpentine story unfolds. Andrea Riseborough delivers a transfixing performance as Colleen, a solitary neighbour who steps in to care for Elsie (Brenda Blethyn), an elderly woman fiercely guarding her independence. Their friendship begins with quiet gestures and gentle companionship, yet beneath the surface something darker stirs. As debit cards are exchanged and small boundaries blur, trust becomes uncertain, and an ordinary act of kindness evolves into a tense contest of control. Shot with intimate precision by Vanessa Whyte and underscored by Raffertie’s delicately needling score, the film captures the fragile intersection between care and coercion. Jason Watkins brings steel-edged nuance as Elsie’s wary son, whose suspicions heighten the unease. Williams balances warmth and dread with striking clarity, crafting a story that resonates long after the credits roll. Dragonfly is both a love letter to resilience and a razor-edged portrait of modern loneliness, sparking vital questions about dignity, duty, and the ethics of care.

BFF25 Four Mothers

Winner of the Audience Award at the BFI London Film Festival, this sharp-edged comedy with a beating heart, bursts onto the screen with wit, warmth, and just the right amount of chaos. Edward (James McArdle), a writer on the cusp of international success, is all set for his big U.S. book tour when life pulls the rug out from under him—his beloved mother Alma (the incomparable Fionnula Flanagan) suffers a stroke. Suddenly, Edward is stuck juggling deadlines, doctor’s visits, and the crushing weight of care. But things really spiral when his three best friends skip town for a Pride festival, leaving him with their mothers too. What follows is a whirlwind weekend in Dublin where four wildly different women - sharp, stubborn, hilarious, and heartbreakingly human - collide under one roof. Arguments fly, secrets spill, and unlikely alliances bloom. Directed by Darren Thornton, Four Mothers is a riotous, deeply moving ode to the mess of family, chosen and otherwise. Expect laugh-out-loud clashes, tear-jerking confessions, and a bracing reminder of the love that binds us when everything else falls apart.

BFF25 Glenrothan

Set against the sweeping highlands of Scotland, Glenrothan is a heartfelt drama about roots, reconciliation, and the ties that refuse to be broken. The story follows two estranged brothers who return to their hometown after years apart, each carrying the weight of old conflicts and unspoken regrets. Drawn back by the passing of their father, they find themselves not only confronting family history but also rediscovering the power of community in a place where tradition runs deep. Shot with breathtaking cinematography that captures both the rugged beauty and quiet intimacy of rural life, Glenrothan is as much a love letter to the landscape as it is a stirring human story. The film blends warmth, humour, and poignancy, offering audiences a moving exploration of belonging and forgiveness. This is the directorial debut from Brian Cox, who stars alongside an outstanding ensemble including Alan Cumming, Shirley Henderson, Alexandra Shipp, and Siobhan Redmond. Anchored by a script rich with authenticity, Glenrothan is an evocative journey into the heart of family, memory, and homecoming.

BFF25 I Am Martin Parr

I Am Martin Parr offers a vibrant and intimate portrait of one of the world’s most celebrated photographers, delivering audiences a rare chance to step inside the colourful lens of his singular vision. Known for his sharp wit, playful irony, and unflinching eye, Martin Parr has spent decades capturing the humour, absurdity, and humanity of everyday life. This documentary takes viewers beyond the iconic images, revealing the man behind the camera, his inspirations, quirks, and relentless curiosity about the modern world. The film blends candid interviews, behind-the-scenes access, and a dazzling archive of Parr’s work to chart his evolution from a young observer of British culture to a global chronicler of consumerism, leisure, and social rituals. At once humorous, provocative, and deeply human, this enduring documentary is as much a meditation on photography as it is a celebration of creativity and observation. Whether you’re a longtime admirer or a newcomer, this film invites you to see the ordinary made extraordinary, all through Martin Parr’s unmistakable eye.

BFF25 Islands

On the striking volcanic coast of Fuerteventura, Islands unfolds as a hypnotic portrait of dislocation, temptation, and moral ambiguity. Tom (Sam Riley), once a promising tennis player, now drifts through life as a resort coach, numbing himself with drink and transient flings while hiding from his past. When a British family—Anne (Stacy Martin), her husband Dave (Jack Farthing), and their young son—arrive under the bright pretense of holiday leisure, Tom is drawn into their seemingly perfect yet fragile world. Hired to guide their excursions and mentor their child, he finds himself both seduced and unsettled by Anne’s allure and the cracks in her marriage. When Dave vanishes without explanation, paradise turns menacing. Shadows of suspicion deepen, loyalties fracture, and Tom’s carefully constructed detachment begins to collapse. With echoes of Patricia Highsmith and Hitchcock, Jan-Ole Gerster transforms sun-soaked landscapes into a stage for simmering dread. Islands is a tense and stylish “vacation noir” that asks how far we will go to escape ourselves.

BFF25 Lollipop

Step into the emotional heart of Lollipop, a moving new drama that explores resilience, love, and the will to fight for family. Posy Sterling delivers a searing performance as Molly, a young mother freshly released from prison, determined to reunite with her children in foster care. The road is anything but straightforward: every bureaucratic step forces her to prove worthiness while battling a system designed to keep her at arm’s length. Without custody she cannot secure a home, yet without a home she cannot regain custody - a cruel cycle that threatens to undo her resolve. Molly’s path is illuminated by Amina, portrayed with quiet power by Idil Ahmed. More than a friend, Amina becomes an ally and partner in reimagining what survival and motherhood can look like when society closes its doors. Together, they forge creative strategies to confront systemic obstacles, navigating heartbreak with humour, tenderness, and bold defiance. Shot with raw intimacy, Lollipop is an ode to friendship, justice, and the fragile yet unbreakable bonds that define us.

BFF25 Moss & Freud

Moss & Freud invites audiences into a rare and electric dialogue between two British icons: supermodel Kate Moss (Ellie Bamber) and master painter Lucian Freud (Derek Jacobi). Directed by Oscar-winning filmmaker James Lucas, this lyrical biopic captures the extraordinary nine months in 2002 when an already world-famous Moss becomes Freud’s muse, baring far more than just skin. The couple's collaboration emerges from curiosity and audacity: Freud, long skeptical of celebrity culture, agrees to paint her nude. Over the course of long, nocturnal sessions in his London studio, the two forge a bond that transcends art and challenges them both. While Bamber plays Moss with striking vulnerability and defiance, Jacobi brings gravitas and enigmatic force to Freud. Yet Moss & Freud is not simply the portrait of artist and subject—it is a meditation on identity, intimacy, and the transformative power of creation. With lush period detail, emotional immediacy, and the sensibilities of two creative giants colliding, the film promises a hypnotic journey into revelation and a portrait of an icon reborn.

BFF25 The Golden Spurtle

Spoons at the ready as Every October, the quiet Highland village of Carrbridge transforms into the spirited stage for the World Porridge Making Championship. At the heart of this quirky yet heartfelt contest lies a humble goal: to stir the perfect bowl of oats, water, and salt. In The Golden Spurtle, director Constantine Costi follows competitors from across the globe as they converge with ladles, secrets, and dreams of winning the coveted trophy. This year’s event carries special weight as beloved chieftain Charlie Miller, who has guided the contest for decades, prepares to step down. Through Charlie’s farewell and the devotion of contestants, the film becomes more than a culinary chronicle: it’s a meditation on tradition, community, and the rituals that bind us together. With rustic imagery, wry humour, and a warm, observational lens, The Golden Spurtle captures both the silliness and the sincerity of its subject. A celebration of passion in unlikely places, this is a documentary to savour - comforting, stirring, and unforgettable.

BFF25 The North

Two estranged friends. Six hundred kilometres. One unforgettable journey. In The North, director Bart Schrijver invites audiences on a breathtaking pilgrimage through the Scottish Highlands, where the raw beauty of the land collides with the unspoken weight of the past. Chris and Lluis, once inseparable, reunite after years apart to tackle the West Highland Way and the Cape Wrath Trail. What begins as a physical challenge soon becomes a test of trust, endurance, and the possibility of reconnection. Shot entirely on location, the film captures the Highlands in all their elemental force, mist curling over ridges, rain sweeping across valleys, silence stretching as wide as the lochs. Performances by Bart Harder and Carles Pulido ground the epic scenery with intimate emotion, their restrained chemistry revealing as much in pauses as in words. A moving blend of adventure and meditation, The North is a cinematic experience for anyone drawn to stories of resilience, friendship, and the healing power of nature.

BFF25 Urchin

Written and directed by Harris Dickinson, Urchin is a haunting, compassionate odyssey of survival, redemption, and the fragile architecture of hope. In his bold feature-length directorial debut, Dickinson crafts a visceral social-realist tapestry through the eyes of Mike (Frank Dillane), an unhoused man freshly released from prison who attempts to piece together his fractured life amid indifference and systemic barriers. What unfolds is neither heroic nor sensational but deeply human. As Mike navigates rehab, menial jobs, tenuous relationships, and his own inner demons, moments of dark humor, lyrical surrealism, and cinematic intimacy are revealed. Premiered in Un Certain Regard at Cannes 2025, Urchin claimed the FIPRESCI Prize, and Dillane earned the Best Actor award for his luminous, raw performance, cementing the film’s place as one of the year’s most striking discoveries. A lean yet unflinching portrait that resists easy answers while demanding empathy, Urchin heralds Dickinson as an audacious new voice in British cinema and a filmmaker to watch.

BFF25 Words of War

This UK co-production features a brilliant ensemble and from the opening frame to its haunting coda, Words of War immerses audiences in the brave and fraught world of investigative journalism under siege. Maxine Peake delivers a fearless, searing performance as Anna Politkovskaya, the Russian reporter who refused to be silenced even as she exposed atrocities in Chechnya. Opposing her stars Ciarán Hinds as Dmitry Muratov, her editor and moral anchor, and Jason Isaacs as her conflicted husband, who watches her rise while fearing its costs. Following Anna’s courageous journey through intimidation, violence, and resistance—poisonings, threats, and state-sanctioned pressure only intensify her conviction. The film interrogates the price of truth in a regime built on fear, asking: when the state commands silence, who dares to speak? Bold in its stakes, intimate in its heartbreak, Words of War is a vital, timely cinematic testament to the power and the peril of bearing witness. This biopic is not just a portrait of one woman’s sacrifice, but a rallying cry for press freedom in perilous times.