“Empire of Light” is a 2022 drama film directed by Sam Mendes. The film is set in an English coastal town in the early 1980s and centers on the lives of the staff at the Empire Cinema. Olivia Colman stars as Hilary, a troubled woman working at the cinema, who forms a deep bond with Stephen, a young Black man played by Micheal Ward, who faces social challenges and racism. Their unlikely friendship blossoms amid the backdrop of the declining theater and the social and political upheavals of the time. The film explores themes of mental illness, love, and the transformative power of cinema. “Empire of Light” is a poignant reflection on human connection and the struggles of marginalized individuals in society.
Empire of Light
