Clio Barnard’s ‘I See Buildings Fall Like Lightning’ Bought by Kino Lorber for North America (EXCLUSIVE)

Fresh from landing eight nominations from the British Independent Film Awards earlier this week, Clio Barnard’s critically acclaimed “I See Buildings Fall Like Lightning” has landed theatrical distribution in the U.S.

Kino Lorber has acquired North American distribution rights to the film, starring fast-rising U.K. and Irish actors Anthony Boyle (“Manhunt”), Joe Cole (“Gangs of London,” “Peaky Blinders”), Jay Lycurgo

(“Steve”), Daryl McCormack (“Wake Up Dead Man,” “Bad Sisters”), and Lola Petticrew (“Furious”).

Based on the novel by Keiran Goddard and adapted by Irish playwright and screenwriter Enda

Walsh (“Die My Love,” “Small Things Like These”), “I See Buildings Fall Like Lightning” had its world premiere in Cannes’ Directors’ Fortnight, where it won the people’s choice audience award. It recently screened at the Rome Film Festival, where it landed the top prize in the progressive cinema competition and Boyle shared the best actor prize. At the recently-announced BIFA nominations, its nod included best British independent film, best director, best screenplay and best ensemble performance.

Kino Lorber is planning a 2027 theatrical release followed by a digital, educational, and home video release.

“I See Buildings Fall Like Lightning” follows childhood friends Patrick, Shiv, Rian, Oli, and Conor, who grew up on a Birmingham estate, where they skipped school together and dreamt of the lives they would have one day. But now that they’ve hit thirty, a harsher reality has set in, and those dreams haven’t materialised quite how they imagined. Patrick (Boyle) and Shiv (Petticrew) are still madly in love and

happily married, but their relationship is rocked when an old secret opens up new wounds. Charismatic Oli (Lycurgo), always the life and soul of the group, is partying too hard and is fading by the day. Conor (McCormack) has a baby on the way and a business plan that could change everything. Only Rian (Cole) has left the estate, moving to London for a high paying job in property development, but is lonely and disconnected, missing home and his family of close friends. As they fight for their futures, rifts start to form in their once unbreakable friendships, and the dreams they once shared seem more out of reach than ever.

“When I read Keiran’s novel ‘I See Buildings Fall Like Lightning’ I absolutely loved being in the

company of Shiv, Patrick, Conor, Oli and Rian. I wanted to share this wonderful friendship group

and the story of the struggles faced by their generation with cinema audiences so I’m absolutely

thrilled that the film will have a release in the USA,” said Barnard, for whom the film marks her fifth feature as director. Barnard’s previous feature “Ali & Ava” also premiered in the Directors’ Fortnight in Cannes and would win two BIFAs and be nominated for two BAFTAs.

The deal for “I See Buildings Fall Like Lightning” was negotiated by Kino Lorber VP of acquisitions

Karoliina Dwyer with Charades and Gersh.

“Director Clio Barnard has crafted something truly special with ‘I See Buildings Fall Like Lightning,’

a beautifully observed coming of age story that sensitively captures a generation grappling with

unrealized dreams,” said Dwyer. ”Her superb cast brings warmth and vulnerability to the five

friends at the heart of the film, with an infectious energy that sweeps you into their shared

celebrations, fears, and heartbreaks. We’re thrilled to bring this stunning film to North American

audiences.”

“I See Buildings Fall Like Lightning” was produced by Clio Barnard’s long-term producer Tracy

O’Riordan (“Ali & Ava,” “Alice & Jack,” “Dream Horse,” “Dark River,” “The Selfish Giant”) of Moonspun

Films. The film was developed with BBC Film who co-financed with BFI (awarding National

Lottery funding), in association with TPC, Charades and Curzon Film.