Clio Bernard’s I See Buildings Fall Like Lightning, which just won the Audience Award at Cannes Directors’ Fortnight, has secured a significant international sale, with Paris-based sales company Charade handling worldwide rights.
The film, which won the top audience award at the Cannes Film Festival sidebar, was picked up in multiple territories after its market release by Charades.
Deals completed to date include Pyramid in France, Curzon in the UK, Cherry Pickers in the Benelux, Adso Films in Spain, Weird Wave in Greece, Angel Films in Denmark and Fold in Scandinavia. They include Kets Bio, A-One Films in the Baltics, MCF in the Adriatic and Bulgaria, Sinovo in Poland, Lev Cinema in Israel, New Select Company in Japan, Furay Films in Taiwan and Aardwolf in air rights.
“I See Buildings Fall Like Lightning” is the latest feature from BAFTA-nominated filmmaker Barnard, whose previous credits include “Ali & Eva” and “Dark River.”
The drama, adapted from Kieran Goddard’s novel of the same name by Die My Love and Hunger author Enda Walsh, stars Anthony Boyle (Say Nothing, Masters of the Air), Joe Cole (Gangs of London), Jay Riccargo (Half Bad: The Bastard Son and the Devil Himself), and Darryl McCormack (Good Luck to You, Leo). Grande”) and Laura Petticrew (“Say Nothing”). Millie Brady, Lucy Shorthouse and James Eales also appear in the ensemble cast.
The film follows five childhood friends, Patrick, Shiv, Ryan, Oli, and Connor, who once dreamed of escaping their circumstances and building a better life. As they reach their 30s, they realize that the future they had envisioned is slowly slipping away.
Produced by Tracy O’Riordan through Moonspun Films, the project continues Bernard’s long-standing collaboration with the producer. The film was developed in conjunction with BBC Film, who co-financed the film with the BFI and provided National Lottery funding. Curzon Film is also a production partner and will distribute the film in the UK alongside TPC.
Executive producers include Bernard, Walsh, Goddard and Claudia Youssef for BBC Films, Mia Bayes for BFI, Ali Jazayeri and Keith Kehoe for TPC, Louisa Dent and Philip Knatchbull for Curzon Films, and Johan Conte, Carol Balaton and Lucie Desquien for Charade.
