Director Clio Barnard has transformed Keiran Goddardâs experimental novel, I See Buildings Fall Like Lightning, into a critically praised film. The narrative draws from Goddardâs childhood experiences in 1990s Birmingham, where the demolition of postwar council estates served as a defining spectacle for local youth. While these controlled explosions were framed as necessary urban regeneration, they signaled a profound shift for the community. Goddard, who eventually left his hometown to pursue studies at Oxford and build a career in London, remains deeply connected to his roots despite his physical relocation. The film explores the complex emotional legacy of these displaced residents and the transition between their past environments and their subsequent lives, offering a poignant look at the impact of architectural change on personal identity.
Source : The Guardian
Photo : The Guardian
