Clio Barnard’s ‘I See Buildings Fall Like Lightning’ Unveils First Clip Ahead of Cannes Premiere (EXCLUSIVE)

A birthday party in a British pub erupts into drunken dancing, singing and general rowdiness in the first clip from “I See Buildings Fall Like Lightning,” the latest feature from BAFTA-nominated writer/director Clio Barnard.

The film — set to have its world premiere in Cannes Directors’ Fortnight section on May 20 — is led by a buzzy ensemble cast of British and Irish stars, including Anthony Boyle (“Say Nothing,” “Masters of the Air”), Joe Cole (“Gangs of London,” “A Prayer Before Dawn”), Jay Lycurgo (“Steve,” “Half Bad: The Bastard Son & The Devil Himself”), Daryl McCormack (“Good Luck to You, Leo Grande,” “Bad Sisters”) and Lola Petticrew (“Say Nothing,” “She Said”). Millie Brady (“The Last Kingdom”), Lucie Shorthouse (“Rebus”) and James Eeles (“The Batman”) also star.

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Adapted by “Die My Love” and “Hunger” writer Enda Walsh from Keiran Goddard’s eponymous novel, “I See Buildings Fall Like Lightning” follows five childhood friends; Patrick, Shiv, Rian, Oli, and Conor played together, who skipped school together and dreamt of the lives they would have one day. Now they’re thirty, and the future they imagined is slipping quietly out of reach.

The film is produced by Tracy O’Riordan of Moonspun Films, continuing her long-time relationship with Barnard. It was developed with BBC Film who are also co-financing with BFI (awarding National Lottery funding), in association with Curzon Film who will handle U.K. distribution, and TPC. Charades are overseeing worldwide rights.

Executive producers are Barnard, Walsh, Keiran Goddard, Claudia Yusef at BBC Film, Mia Bays at the BFI, Ali Jazayeri and Keith Kehoe at TPC, Louisa Dent and Philip Knatchbull at Curzon Film, Baraton and Lucie Desquiens at Charades and Jane Moore.

See the clip below: