MFF26: Opening night: I See Buildings Fall Like Lightning + Q&A

A buzzy young British cast light up this tale of five childhood friends from Birmingham, now navigating the trials of adulthood. Direct from Cannes Directors' Fortnight.

Rian (Joe Cole, Skins, Peaky Blinders), Conor (Daryl McCormack, Good Luck to You, Leo Grande), Shiv (Lola Petticrew, Say Nothing), Pat (Anthony Boyle, Masters of the Air) and Oli (Jay Lycurgo, Steve) all grew up in the same Birmingham housing estate, now razed to the ground. As adults, their paths have diverged, but the core of their friendship remains. Rian got rich, others struggle to get by, and it feels like the future they hoped for just isn't materialising. Based on the acclaimed novel by Keiran Goddard, with a script co-written by Enda Walsh (Die, My Love; Hunger, SFF 2008) and director Clio Barnard (The Arbor, SFF 2010), this bracing ensemble drama explores friendship, class and the pull of home.

Dir. Clio Barnard. UK, France, USA. 109 min. Cert 15.