Empire Of Light is set in the 1980s and stars Olivia Colman as a lady battling with mental health concerns, a subject that was extremely personal to filmmaker Sam Mendes.
Sam Mendes’ new film, set in a movie theatre, is a celebration of the big screen and one of the director’s most personal works.
In Empire of Light, Olivia Colman portrays a woman with mental health concerns modeled off the acclaimed director’s mother.
Colman told, “It all stemmed from a personal situation, so we always had the greatest person on set to ask.” “He would describe his cherished mummy’s rise to power, eloquence, and greatness, as well as her subsequent decline, and he would refer to her as heroic.
“Thus, although it was a hell of a trek to play, I always had access to this great source of information.”
Mendes collaborates with his ensemble, which includes Micheal Ward, who will get the BAFTA Rising Star Award in 2020, to tell a drama about the race riots in the United Kingdom during the 1980s.
“It’s incredible to feel like you have a say on set, especially when working with a filmmaker like Sam,” added Ward. “I received an early draught of the script, about which he posed numerous queries.
For him to have that kind of openness with someone like me… to work with someone so brilliant, yet so eager to collaborate on ideas, was so tremendous for me, it was a wonderful experience.
Additionally, the drama is a love letter to movies. As certain films fail to draw audiences, this is a timely reminder of the magnificence of the cinematic experience.
“It’s not simply the fact of sitting in a room with all those people, although that’s a significant part of it,” said Colin Firth, who portrays the cinema manager.
“Before VHS, for example, you couldn’t have that experience unless you made a choice, traveled, arrived, purchased a ticket, and ate all the chocolate-covered raisins or whatever.”
Toby Jones, who portrays a projectionist, feels that the film industry would withstand the economic depression brought on by the epidemic and the cost of living problem.
“One of the greatest pleasures in the world is going out and anonymously joining an audience… and sort of vanishing into the life of someone or another group being shown on TV,” he stated.
“I do not anticipate that pleasure, that ancient joy, will disappear. People’s reintegration into their daily routines may be a little sluggish.”
Empire Of Light, which is set in the past yet explores contemporary concerns, is more than a simple journey down memory lane and could be Sam Mendes’ next ticket to awards season.
