I See Buildings Fall Like Lightning

Clio Barnard's new film, I See Buildings Fall Like Lightning, is having a special preview screening at Glasgow Film Theatre on Monday 2 November, as part of the Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival. It's a slice-of-life drama adapted from Keiran Goddard's award-winning novel, and it follows five childhood friends — Patrick, Shiv, Rian, Oli and Conor — who grew up together on a Birmingham estate.

By the time the film finds them, they're all approaching their thirties and finding adulthood a lot tougher than they'd imagined as teenagers. They're struggling to secure steady work, hustling for money or trying to buy a home, while old problems refuse to fade and the friendships that have held them together come under strain. It's a contemporary piece of social realism, and Barnard brings humour, heart and plenty of energy to it. The cast is led by Anthony Boyle, Lola Petticrew and Joe Cole.

If the name sounds familiar, it's because Barnard has a track record with this kind of grounded, human-focused storytelling. She's the director behind The Arbour, Ali & Ava and The Selfish Giant, and this feels right in line with that work. The film is being screened as a special preview here in Glasgow as part of the Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival, so it's one of the first chances to see it before it goes wider.

The screening is at Glasgow Film Theatre, 12 Rose Street, Glasgow City Centre G3 6RB, starting at 7:50 pm on Monday 2 November. Tickets are £4 to £12.