“I See Buildings Fall Like Lightning,” the next feature from BAFTA-nominated writer/director Clio Barnard (“Ali & Ava,” “Dark River”), has been bought for worldwide rights by Charades.
The Paris-based sales company will now launch the project — first announced by Variety in 2025 — at the upcoming European Film Market in Berlin, and has unveiled a first look image.
Adapted by “Die My Love” and “Hunger” writer Enda Walsh from Keiran Goddard’s eponymous novel, the film is lead by a buzzy ensemble cast, including Anthony Boyle (“Say Nothing,” “Masters of the Air”), Joe Cole (“Gangs of London,” “A Prayer Before Dawn”), Jay Lycurgo (“Steve,” “Half Bad: The Bastard Son & The Devil Himself”), Daryl McCormack (“Good Luck to You, Leo Grande,” “Bad Sisters”) and Lola Petticrew (“Say Nothing,” “She Said”). Millie Brady (“The Last Kingdom”), Lucie Shorthouse (“Rebus”) and James Eeles (“The Batman”) also star.
“I See Buildings Fall Like Lightning” follows five childhood friends; Patrick, Shiv, Rian, Oli, and Conor played together, who skipped school together and dreamt of the lives they would have one day. Now they’re thirty, and the future they imagined is slipping quietly out of reach.
The film is produced by Tracy O’Riordan of Moonspun Films, continuing her long-time relationship with the Barnard. It was developed with BBC Film who are also co-financing with BFI (awarding National Lottery funding), in association with Curzon Film who will handle U.K. distribution, and TPC.
“Collaborating with Clio Barnard and her long-time producer Tracy O’Riordan represents for us a unique opportunity to contribute to the growing legacy of this essential U.K. filmmaker, while also shining a light on her remarkable ensemble cast, whose energy and authentic performances immediately resonated with us — including young rising star Jay Lycurgo, recently awarded at the BIFAs,” said Charades co-founder Carole Baraton.
Executive producers are Barnard, Walsh, Keiran Goddard, Claudia Yusef at BBC Film, Mia Bays at the BFI, Ali Jazayeri and Keith Kehoe at TPC, Louisa Dent and Philip Knatchbull at Curzon Film, Baraton and Lucie Desquiens at Charades and Jane Moore.
“We’ve long been admirers of their passion and expertise, so we’re delighted to be working with Carole and team at Charades on ‘I See Buildings Fall Like Lightning’ and looking forward to introducing this beautiful film and stellar ensemble cast to an international audience,” said O’Riordan.
English (US) ·