A true homage to cinema and diversity is Sam Mendes' EMPIRE OF LIGHT (distributed by Disney), which captivated audiences at its German premiere during the 56th International Hof Film Festival. And that also, "...because cinematographer Roger Deakins makes dreamlike images..." (Süddeutsche Zeitung). For his work he rightly received an Oscar® nomination. Since Thursday, 20 April 2023 the film is in German theaters.
Southern England in the 80s: Hilary runs a movie theater by the sea. Once a magnificent movie theater with several screens and a dance hall overlooking the sea, today there is only one screen left, albeit a large one. Hilary and her colleagues are sprucing up the theater for the local premiere of CHARIOTS OF FIRE. Outside, however, the town is decaying, the number of right-wing extremists is on the rise, and team member Stephen is regularly harassed by skinheads.
EMPIRE OF LIGHT features a stellar cast led by Academy Award® winner Olivia Colman (The Favourite, The Lost Daughter), BAFTA winner Micheal Ward (Blue Story, Top Boy) and Academy Award® winner Colin Firth (The King’s Speech, A Single Man). It also reunites Mendes with Academy Award® winning cinematographer Roger Deakins (1917, Skyfall).