Flying Blind

A 40-something female engineer working on an MoD aeronautics contract begins an affair with an Arab student that will have ramifications for them both in this topical, small-scale British drama. Helen McCrory's striking central performance shows us both sides of Frankie: the stern professional in a male-dominated workplace; and the emotionally vulnerable lover in an increasingly fraught relationship with the elusive Kahil (Najib Oudghiri). Polish director Katarzyna Klimkiewicz creates suspense and sympathy for both as the security services become aware of their liaison, though she doesn't fully explain how the strong-willed Frankie allows herself to get into this sticky situation. However, there is cool precision in the look of the film on what is, presumably, a modest budget and, overall, it's an intriguing take on how the war on terror permeates even the most intimate spaces.