Cannes Debut: I See Buildings Fall Like Lightning
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- I See Buildings Fall Like Lightning premiered at Cannes' 58th Directors' Fortnight, directed by Clio Barnard and adapted from Keiran Goddard’s 2024 novel by Enda Walsh.
- Lola Petticrew portrays Shiv, a caretaker juggling children and a bedridden mother, and says the film reflects the pressures of adulthood and class.
- Clio Barnard filmed the story on location in Birmingham, engaging with local workers who appear in the movie.
- Anthony Boyle has known Lola Petticrew since age 11 in West Belfast, and the pair previously co‑starred in BBC’s “Come Home” and FX’s “Say Nothing”.
- Cast described the set as “major craic,” highlighting a fun, lively environment despite the film’s serious themes.
Why it matters: The Cannes debut elevates the profile of this British social‑drama and its cast, placing them on an international stage and highlighting Birmingham’s class issues, prompting discussion of economic disparity.
