'Peaky Blinders' star Joe Cole and director Clio Barnard on class, masculinity and modern Britain

About this episode

Joe Cole and Clio Barnard discuss the themes of class and masculinity in modern Britain as explored in Barnard's film adaptation of Keiran Goddard's novel.

Premiering in the Directors' Fortnight section at the Cannes Film Festival, "I See Buildings Fall Like Lightning" is Clio Barnard's adaptation of Keiran Goddard's acclaimed novel about five childhood friends from working-class Birmingham whose lives have drifted far from the futures they once imagined. "Peaky Blinders" actor Joe Cole stars as Rian – the one who escaped, made money and seemingly "made it", only to discover that success cannot free him from the place he came from.

People in this episode

Guests: Joe Cole, Clio Barnard

Topics covered

• class
• masculinity
• modern Britain
• film adaptation
• working-class
• success

Keywords

• Peaky Blinders
• Joe Cole
• Clio Barnard
• I See Buildings Fall Like Lightning
• Cannes Film Festival
• working-class
• masculinity
• film adaptation

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Cannes Film Festival

Books & works: I See Buildings Fall Like Lightning, Peaky Blinders

Places: Birmingham

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