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I See Buildings Fall Like Lightning

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I See Buildings Fall Like Lightning
Directed byClio Barnard
Screenplay by
Based on
I See Buildings Fall Like Lightning
by Keiran Goddard
Produced byTracy O’Riordan
Starring
CinematographySimon Tindall
Edited byMaya Maffioli
Music byHarry Escott
Production
companies
Distributed byCurzon Film (United Kingdom)
Release date
  • 20 May 2026 (2026-05-20) (Cannes)
Running time
109 minutes
Countries
  • United Kingdom
  • France
  • United States
LanguageEnglish

I See Buildings Fall Like Lightning is a 2026 drama film directed by Clio Barnard, written by Enda Walsh and based on the book of the same name by Keiran Goddard. It stars Anthony Boyle, Joe Cole, Jay Lycurgo, Daryl McCormack and Lola Petticrew as five childhood friends who confront their unfulfilled dreams in the midst of the UK housing crisis.

The film had its world premiere at the Directors' Fortnight section of the 2026 Cannes Film Festival in 20 May, where it won the section's Audience Award.[1][2][3]

Cast

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Production

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The novel by Keiran Goddard is adapted by Enda Walsh for the film directed by Clio Barnard. It has producer Tracy O’Riordan for Moonspun Films with funding from BBC Film and BFI and Curzon Film distributing.[5]

Principal photography took place in the United Kingdom in April 2025.[6] Cinematographer Simon Tindall shot the production in hybrid formats, 16mm film and digitally,[7] marking his first collaboration with Barnard.[8]

Reception

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Critical response

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On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 95% based on 19 reviews, with an average rating of 8.2/10.[9] On Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 77 out of 100, based on 9 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[10]

Accolades

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Award Year Category Recipient(s) Result Ref.
Cannes Film Festival 2026 Audience Award Clio Barnard Won [11]
Palm Dog Award - Grand Jury Prize Won [12]

References

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  1. ↑ Goodfellow, Melanie (April 14, 2026). "Cannes Directors' Fortnight Unveils Starry 2026 Lineup With Films By Kantemir Balagov, Clio Bernard, Esiri Brothers, Radu Jude, Reed Van Dyk & Quentin Dupieux". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 14, 2026.
  2. ↑ "I See Buildings Fall Like Lightning". Quinzaine des cinéastes. Retrieved May 1, 2026.
  3. ↑ Goodfellow, Melanie (May 21, 2026). "Cannes Directors' Fortnight Winners: Clio Bernard's 'I See Buildings Fall Like Lightning' Scoops People's Choice Audience Award". Deadline. Retrieved May 21, 2026.
  4. ↑ Reid, Kurtis (April 5, 2025). "Say Nothing stars to reunite for Enda Walsh's adaptation of Goddard's novel". Belfast Telegraph. Retrieved April 6, 2025.
  5. ↑ Ritman, Alex (April 4, 2025). "Clio Barnard Sets Next Feature 'I See Buildings Fall Like Lightning,' Anthony Boyle, Joe Cole, Jay Lycurgo, Daryl McCormack and Lola Petticrew to Star (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved April 6, 2025.
  6. ↑ Medjdoub, Yasmine (April 5, 2025). "Clio Barnard's 'I See Buildings Fall Like Lightning' starts UK shoot". Screen Daily. Retrieved April 6, 2025.
  7. ↑ "Cannes Film Festival". Kodak. Retrieved June 3, 2026.
  8. ↑ Katz, David (April 16, 2026). "Clio Barnard brings I See Buildings Fall Like Lightning to the Directors' Fortnight". Retrieved April 16, 2026.
  9. ↑ https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/i_see_buildings_fall_like_lightning
  10. ↑ https://www.metacritic.com/movie/i-see-buildings-fall-like-lightning?ftag=MCD-06-10aaa1c
  11. ↑ Goodfellow, Melanie (May 21, 2026). "Cannes Directors' Fortnight Winners: Clio Bernard's 'I See Buildings Fall Like Lightning' Scoops People's Choice Audience Award". Deadline. Retrieved May 21, 2026.
  12. ↑ Louise Dixon (May 22, 2026). "A round of a-paws for 'La Perra,' winner of the Palm Dog award at Cannes". AP News. Retrieved May 22, 2025.
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