Film in Focus: I See Buildings Fall Like Lightning

From the director of The Arbor, The Selfish Giant, Dark River and Ali & Ava comes a new poignant work, a story of friendship and community, delving into the challenges of both leaving and remaining in the town where you grew up. Join us to discover the story and the creative process behind Clio Barnard’s I See Buildings Fall Like Lightning, with the director’s long-time producer Tracy O’Riordan, the writer of the acclaimed novel Keiran Goddard, and Olivier Award-winning actor Anthony Boyle (House of Guinness, Manhunt, Danny Boy). The film is supported by BBC FILM and the BFI. 

Speakers:

ANTHONY BOYLE | Actor (Patrick)
I See Buildings Fall Like Lightning

KEIRAN GODDARD | Novelist
I See Buildings Fall Like Lightning

TRACEY O'RIORDAN | Producer
I See Buildings Fall Like Lightning

Moderator:

WENDY MITCHELL | Journalist and Film Festival Programmer

About the speakers:

ANTHONY BOYLE
Anthony is an Olivier Award-winning, Tony-nominated Northern Irish actor who trained at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. He first came to prominence in HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD, playing the role of Scorpius Malfoy in the West End and on Broadway. Anthony most recently wrapped on Steven Knight's HOUSE OF GUINNESS for Netflix. Prior to this he was seen starring in the Apple TV+ limited series MANHUNT, playing John Wilkes Booth opposite Tobias Menzies, as well as starring in MASTERS OF THE AIR for Apple TV+, alongside Callum Turner and Austin Butler. Other credits include HBO's limited series THE PLOT AGAINST AMERICA, the feature film TETRIS and DANNY BOY for BBC, for which he received rave reviews. Up next, Anthony is currently filming the leading role of Sam Bankman-Fried in the Netflix series THE ALTRUISTS, starring alongside Julia Garner.

KEIRAN GODDARD
Keiran Goddard is an internationally published novelist, poet and social theorist. His first collection was shortlisted for the William Blake prize and the Melita Hulme Prize, his debut novel HOURGLASS was listed for the Desmond Elliott prize and his second novel I SEE BUILDINGS FALL LIKE LIGHTNING was published to widespread acclaim and nominated for the Gordon Burn Prize. His third novel FILL THE WORLD will be published in late 2026. He also writes regularly as a critic for The Guardian and The Observer.

TRACEY O'RIORDAN
I SEE BUILDINGS FALL LIKE LIGHTNING is Tracy’s fifth film with Clio Barnard. Tracy was co-producer on Joshua Oppenheimer’s post-apocalyptic musical THE END (2023), starring Michael Shannon, Tilda Swinton and George MacKay. Prior to this she produced the TV series ALICE & JACK (2022), for Me+You Productions and Groundswell Films, written by Victor Levin, directed by Juho Kuosmanen and Hong Khaou, starring Andrea Riseborough and Domhnall Gleeson. Twice BAFTA-nominated ALI & AVA, stars Claire Rushbrook and Adeel Akhtar, and was released in March 2022. DREAM HORSE (2019) written by Neil McKay, directed by Euros Lyn, starring Owen Teale, Toni Collette and Damian Lewis, premiered at Sundance, and won two Welsh BAFTAs in 2022. MONSOON (2018), directed by Hong Khaou (LILTING), stars Henry Golding and Parker Sawyers. DARK RIVER (2017) was Tracy’s third film with Clio Barnard starring Ruth Wilson, Mark Stanley and Sean Bean. THE SELFISH GIANT (2012), selected for The Directors’ Fortnight at Cannes, was nominated for an Outstanding British Film BAFTA Award. The much lauded THE ARBOR (2010), her first project with Clio Barnard, won several international awards and was nominated for an Outstanding Debut BAFTA Award.

WENDY MITCHELL
Wendy Mitchell is a journalist, curator and moderator. She is a Contributing Editor at Screen International and hosts the weekly Screen Podcast. She also serves as the Nordic and UK delegate for the San Sebastian International Film Festival and curates their Creative Investors Conference, as well as consulting for Cannes Marche and Berlinale's European Film Market.