“Empire of Light,”The latest feature film by Oscar-winning director Sam Mendes has been locked in Europe with a gala screening at 66th Annual BFI London Film Festival.
Starring Olivia Colman, Michael Ward, Colin Firth, Toby Jones and others, the 1980s–set film “is a powerful and poignant story about human connection and the magic of cinema,”Searchlight Pictures stated in a statement that it is distributing the product.
The film’s stars – including Colman, Firth, and on-the-rise BAFTA winner Ward – are expected to be in attendance at the festival’s American Express Gala screening on Oct. 12. Tanya Moodie and Tom Brooke will be joined by Crystal Clarke as additional talent.
“I’m absolutely delighted to be included in this year’s BFI London Film Festival as the AMEX Gala screening,”Mendes made the statement in a statement. “‘Empire of Light’ is a very personal movie for me, and I can’t wait to show it in my home town.”
BFI London Film Festival Director Tricia Tuttle added: “When I read that Sam Mendes’ next project was centred around a cinema, I was so excited about the possibility of being able to present it in the BFI London Film Festival. Mendes is a masterful storyteller and here vividly captures a sense of the South coast of England in the 1980s. ‘Empire of Light’ explores the importance of community, the power of storytelling and of the movies, specifically the thrill of watching a film in a dark cinema, and the tactile pleasures of celluloid. And these are themes so close to our hearts at the BFI. The entire ensemble cast is truly exceptional, with Olivia Colman and Micheal Ward offering stunning central performances. We are so looking forward to presenting the European Premiere of Empire of Light as the American Express Gala at the 66th BFI London Film Festival.”
Colman and Firth just worked opposite each other in last year’s “Mothering Sunday,”Playing husband and wife. “Empire of Light”Mendes will be joined by Roger Deakins, Oscar-winning cinematographer and Mendes (“1917”The film is a re-imagining of the original story. The film will be released theatrically in the U.S. on December 9th and in the U.K. on January 13th.
