Clio Barnard's critically acclaimed feature film, 'I See Buildings Fall Like Lightning,' has secured theatrical distribution in the United States. Kino Lorber has acquired the North American rights to the movie, which recently garnered eight nominations from the British Independent Film Awards.
The film stars a prominent ensemble of rising British and Irish actors. Anthony Boyle, known for 'Manhunt,' leads the cast alongside Joe Cole from 'Gangs of London' and 'Peaky Blinders.' The group also includes Jay Lycurgo from 'Steve,' Daryl McCormack from 'Wake Up Dead Man' and 'Bad Sisters,' and Lola Petticrew from 'Furious.'
Based on a novel by Keiran Goddard, the screenplay was adapted by Enda Walsh, an Irish playwright and screenwriter previously credited with 'Die My Love' and 'Small Things Like These.' The project made its world premiere at the Directors' Fortnight at the Cannes Film Festival, where it received the people's choice audience award. It subsequently screened at the Rome Film Festival, earning the top prize in the progressive cinema competition. Boyle also shared the best actor prize at that event.
The narrative follows five childhood friends, Patrick, Shiv, Rian, Oli, and Conor, who grew up on an estate in Birmingham. They spent their youth skipping school and dreaming of a brighter future. Now that they have reached the age of thirty, the harsh realities of adulthood have set in, and their aspirations have not materialized as expected.
Patrick and Shiv remain deeply in love and married, but their relationship faces strain when an old secret resurfaces. Oli, the charismatic center of the group, is fading due to excessive partying. Conor is expecting a baby and has a business plan that could alter his life. Rian has moved to London for a lucrative job in property development, yet he feels lonely and disconnected from his friends and home. As they struggle to secure their futures, cracks begin to form in their once unbreakable bond.
Director Clio Barnard expressed her enthusiasm for bringing the story to American audiences. She stated that she loved being in the company of the characters and wanted to share the struggles of their generation. This film marks Barnard's fifth feature as a director. Her previous work, 'Ali & Ava,' also premiered at Cannes and won two British Independent Film Awards.
Karoliina Dwyer, the vice president of acquisitions at Kino Lorber, praised the film as a beautifully observed coming-of-age story. She noted that the cast brings warmth and vulnerability to the central friendship, capturing the fears and heartbreaks of the group. The deal was negotiated by Dwyer with Charades and Gersh.
Kino Lorber is planning a theatrical release in 2027, followed by digital, educational, and home video releases. The film was produced by Tracy O'Riordan of Moonspun Films, a long-time collaborator of Barnard. The project was developed with BBC Film and co-financed with the British Film Institute, which awarded National Lottery funding. It was produced in association with TPC, Charades, and Curzon Film.
