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I See Buildings Fall Like Lightning

Directed by Clio Barnard
United Kingdom
2026
109 mins
Unclassified 15+
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.

“a stunningly acted, heart-clobbering ensemble piece about five working-class friends from a Birmingham housing estate.”
Robbie Collin & Tim Robey, The Telegraph
“It’s a film whose mix of poignancy, defiance and contaminated euphoria stayed with me hours after the closing credits.”
Peter Bradshaw, The Guardian
“a stunningly acted, heart-clobbering ensemble piece about five working-class friends from a Birmingham housing estate.”
Robbie Collin & Tim Robey, The Telegraph

Tickets

Sat 6 June 2026, 6pm
Past Event
State Library of NSW
State Library of NSW
Assisted ListeningWheelchair
Mon 8 June 2026, 4:30pm
Past Event
Ritz Cinemas Randwick - Cinema 5
Ritz Randwick - Cinema 5
Assisted ListeningWheelchair
See more, save more with a Flexipass or Youth Pass

Limited seats are available for patrons requiring access for wheelchairs, low vision and hearing loop. Please contact our ticketing team directly on 1300 733 733 or tickets@sff.org.au to complete your booking, or see our Access & Inclusion page for more information.

  • Program Strand
    Features
  • Year
    2026
  • Classification
    Unclassified 15+
  • Country
    UK
  • Language
    In English
  • Director
    Clio Barnard
  • Producer
    Tracy O'Riordan
  • Cast
    Anthony Boyle, Joe Cole, Jay Lycurgo
  • Screenwriter
    Enda Walsh
  • Cinematographer
    Simon Tindall
  • Editor
    Maya Maffioli
  • Composer
    Harry Escott
  • Genre
    Cannes Selected, Politics, Women Directors
  • Company Credits
    Sales Agent: Charades
Aboriginal FlagTorres Strait Flag

Sydney Film Festival acknowledges Australia’s First Nations People as the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the land, and pay respect to the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, upon whose Country SFF is based.

We honour the storytelling and culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across Australia.

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