A flash-lit group photo of five people squeezed together on a sofa in a dark room with maroon curtains and white vertical blinds behind them. A young man in a brown striped zip-up track jacket leans in front, arm outstretched as if taking the selfie. Behind him, a man with a goatee makes a pouting face and gestures toward the camera. In the center, a dark-haired man in a navy bomber jacket scowls and points a clenched fist at the lens, while a taller man in an olive green jacket leans over everyone from the top right, grinning with his hand held out in a thumbs-down gesture. At the bottom, a woman with a blunt fringe and a leopard-print fur coat lies across their laps, smiling. In the bottom right corner, three round badges in pink, blue, and yellow spell out 'Rip It Up'.

I See Buildings Fall Like Lightning + Q&A

with Q&A

About I See Buildings Fall Like Lightning + Q&A

In Clio Barnard’s poignant drama, five childhood friends from Birmingham (Anthony Boyle, Daryl McCormack, Jay Lycurgo, Lola Petticrew and Joe Cole) find their lifelong bonds tested as adulthood brings fractured relationships, unfulfilled dreams and long-buried secrets to light.

Adapted from Kieran Goddard’s novel, this intoxicating yet compassionate film by the director of The Selfish Giant and Ali & Ava is propelled by a superb ensemble cast and the euphoric pulse of club music. As moments of youthful joy gradually give way to disillusionment, the film offers a piercing portrait of contemporary Britain, exposing exploitative social structures and widening inequality as forces that have deeply marked its characters’ lives.

The screening will be followed by a live onstage Q&A withdirector Clio Barnard and author Keiran Goddard.

As part of the BFI’s nationwide Rip It Up season, Birmingham actress Enva Lewis (How To Have Sex, Your Fault: London) has put together a season of films about the defiance, joy and vulnerability of growing up as a city kid in Britain. 

Enva Lewis on why she chose I See Buildings Fall Like Lightning: ‘I’ve been a fan of Clio Barnard since I fell in love with the wonderful Shaun Thomas while making How To Have Sex, and then watched his entire filmography. I’ve been excited for this film since its announcement. We don’t have enough films set in Birmingham and not nearly enough about young people just being young. Dedicated to Rue. One day soon, that’ll be you mate.’
 

Booking info

To book Accessible tickets and free Companion tickets, please visit our Accessible Bookings page. Companion tickets will initially show a standard ticket price, but once your account is set-up and you are logged in, this will be reduced to £0 at checkout.

Duration includes trailers, adverts and any Q&A/panel. For events such as NT Live, Colour Box and Reel & Meal there will be minimal advertising. We do not admit latecomers after the main feature has started and we have a limited food & drink policy.

MAC’s cinema programme has been generously supported by BFI Film Audience Network and Film Hub Midlands.

Dates and times

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