2 Birds

A group of pals hang out. Two are paired off, the other guy, left shuffingly awkward, unsure of what to say to the second girl to make her like him.

Next thing you know, the horse tranquilizer ketamine is being handed round and they’re off to a party. If coming of age means an end to innocence, what happens at the party shoots innocence through the head and dances on its grave. The action is graphic but plays out like a disturbingly cautionary tale for older teens. Despite the drama that unfolds, however, Rúnar Rúnarsson holds the emotional centre together. This is not just about bad things that can happen when you're out of it, it's about making difficult emotional choices and realising that the end of innocence also means the beginning of responsibility.

Lovingly shot and with wonderful performances from the young leads - to make a film that is touchingly beautiful at the same time as dealing with very bad things is a remarkable achievement. This film marks the second part of Rúnarsson’s Crossroad trilogy. The first part, The Last Farm, was Oscar nominated. No doubt this one will win a clutch of awards as well.