Empire of Light

Set in an English seaside town in the early 1980s,Hilary (Olivia Colman) is a manager at the Empire cinema, a beautiful,crumbling building past its prime. Hilary is struggling with her mental health, crippling loneliness and the dysfunctional sexual relationship she is trapped in with married cinema owner Mr Ellis (Colin Firth).

When Stephen (Micheal Ward),a handsome young Black man joins the staff at the Empire she is immediately draw to him. Stephen longs to escape the provincial town in which he faces daily adversity because of his race. Both Hilary and Stephen find a sense of belonging through their unlikely and tender relationship and come to experience the healing power of music, cinema, and community.

Director: Sam Mendes

Cast: Olivia Coleman, Colin Firth, Michael Ward

BFI London Film Festival 2022

Toronto international Film Festival 2022