Rocks

A vibrant and hugely engaging portrait of female friendship and growing up in London from director Sarah Gavron (Brick Lane, Suffragette), with magnetic, BAFTA-nominated performances from its young cast of non-actors.

Olushola Joy Omotoso, ‘Rocks’ to her mates, is a London teenager with ordinary teenage cares; hanging with her crew and helping to look after her little brother keeps her grounded. But on returning from an ordinary day at secondary school, she discovers her mother isn’t home. There’s just a little cash and an apology note. Fearing that she and her brother will be separated if the authorities find out, Rocks decides not to tell anyone and take care of the situation herself.

The film’s BAFTA win for its casting was fully deserved. Kosar Ali and Shaneigha-Monik Greyson give magnetic performances as the friends pulling Rocks in different directions, and Bukky Bakray is fearless and entrancing in the title role.