Fish Tank

The Brief

Mia’s life is marked by a strained relationship with her mother, the looming prospect of being sent to a special school, and the profound sense of freedom she finds in dancing. One day, a man appears at their home - her mother’s new lover. He seems to be the first adult who truly sees Mia, who takes her seriously. When Mia discovers an ad for a dance job, he offers to lend her his camera. Andrea Arnold never let the actors read the full script, and the film was shot chronologically to preserve the authenticity of their performances. The result is an intimate, intense, and at times painful story, filled with moments of beauty, unexpected turns, and glimpses of hope.