Full trailer released for Sam Mendes’ Empire Of Light

Empire Of Light
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As we inch closer to the release date of Sam Mendes’ 1980s-set ode to cinema, you can get a tantalising glimpse right here. 

The full trailer has arrived for Empire Of Light, Sam Mendes’ next project following the hugely successful 1917. 

Empire Of Light sees the director reunite with regular collaborator Roger Deakins as cinematographer. Also featuring in Empire Of Light will be Olivia Colman, who will take the lead in the project. The talents of Micheal Ward, Colin Firth, Toby Jones, Crystal Clarke, Tom Brooke, Hannah Onslow and Tanya Moodie will also be on display. That’s quite the cast list and the story doesn’t sound half-bad either.

The film, which was announced back in April of 2021 is described as ‘a love story, set in and around a beautiful old cinema, on the South Coast of England in the 1980s where Hilary (Olivia Colman), a woman with a difficult past and an uneasy present, is part of a makeshift family at the old Empire Cinema on the seafront. When Stephen (Micheal Ward) is hired to work in the cinema, the two find an unlikely attraction and discover the healing power of movies, music and community.”

(If you’re wondering what’s playing at the cinema during its early 80s setting, the trailer reveals that you could catch a double bill of The Blues Brothers and All That Jazz.)

Searchlight Pictures is distributing the film, whilst Empire Of Light marks Mendes’ first outing as a solo writer on a project.
Filming took place at the beginning of this year with the film being slated to release on 13th January of 2023, although our friends in the US get to see it early next month. It’s fair to say we’re pretty excited for this one, but if you need a quick reminder of why it promises to be something special, have a look at the trailer below.

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