Last night, I attended an early screening of the film adaptation of Helen Macdonald’s acclaimed 2014 novel, H is for Hawk.

The story is a vulnerable, unmitigated portrait of grief. Helen, whilst working as a young Fellow at Jesus College in Cambridge, impulsively buys a Goshawk after the death of her father. The bird becomes a symbol of loss, longing, and comfort. It is auto-biographical.

The screening opened with a Q&A with Macdonald and the director, Philippa Lowthorpe, hosted by Jack Edwards.

What struck me about the film was just how accurately Claire Foy, the lead, captured Macdonald’s mannerisms. What an amazing performance!

Thank you to Everyman Cinema and Lionsgate for hosting. The film releases in cinemas on 23rd January 🦅🦅