One of the most emotionally elegant films of the year, Bellbird is set over four seasons on a small New Zealand dairy farm. Ross (Marshall Napier) is a farmer struggling to cope with the sudden death of his beloved wife, Beth. Out of necessity, he realizes he must forge a bond with his gentle, introverted son Bruce (Cohen Holloway). But seeing how his father is struggling, physically as well as emotionally, Bruce is reluctant to derail his own life to help take over duties on the farm, and without Beth as a buffer, both men are left adrift. The presence of locals proves useful, no matter how unsolicited their help and support might be. Young Marley (Kahukura Retimana); Connie (a wisecracking Rachel House), Bruce’s boss at the dump; and the upbeat local vet, Clem (Stephen Tamarapa), all happily intrude in their lives. Writer/director Hamish Bennett’s feature debut is filled with a love of nature, sharp unexpected humor and penetrating emotional insight.