Sam Mendes, who most recently directed the James Bond blockbusters “Skyfall” and “Spectre” as well as the war film highlight “1917”, ventures into an emotional drama with “Empire Of Light”. The trailer looks promising:
“Skyfall”, “Spectre”, “1917”: Sam Mendes’ last three films relied mainly on action and bombast. Now he seems to want to return to his earlier work à la “Times of Trouble” or “American Beauty” – and for the first time he has written the screenplay alone (after writing “1917” together with Krysty Wilson-Cairns).
In “Empire Of Light” Sam Mendes once again relies on top-class stars: Olivia Coleman received an Oscar for “The Favourite” and another two nominations for “Woman in the Dark” and “The Father”. Colin Firth, who also starred in “1917” and is known for “Kingsman” among others, once won the Oscar for “The King’s Speech”.
GREAT FEELINGS IN FRONT OF THE BACKDROP OF A GREAT CINEMA
“Empire Of Light” is set in the 1980s, with the Empire Cinema, one of those grand and nostalgic movie theatres, serving as the setting. Hillary (Olivia Coleman), the receptionist, suffers from schizophrenia and is shamelessly exploited by the cinema owner Mr. Ellis (Colin Firth). When she introduces new employee Stephen (Michael Ward) to the job, the two soon become close – but their just-flaring love quickly faces challenges. As an Afro-European, Stephen faces racism, and they are also complicated by Hillary’s illness and a past she refuses to let go…
Sam Mendes’ new drama is a story about relationships and what unites people – and not least one about the magic of cinema: Because, as the film shows, all too mundane dangers lurk outside, while films and the cinema itself offer a safe haven.
In the USA, “Empire Of Light” has already been in cinemas since 9 December, in Germany it is scheduled for release on 2 March 2023 – our guess here is a very hot Oscar candidate.
Below you can also watch a slightly longer trailer for the film in the original English version:
