The film was released for VOD on 7 February 2023, followed by a Blu-ray and DVD release on 21 February 2023. [18] [19] [20] Reception [ edit ] Critical response [ edit ] The performance of Olivia Colman received critical acclaim. The film includes several pieces of music that are being played on a record player in the film, such as Bob Dylan's " It's Alright, Ma (I'm Only Bleeding)", Cat Stevens's " Morning Has Broken" and Joni Mitchell's " You Turn Me On, I'm a Radio". [14] Release [ edit ]

Tangcay, Jazz (5 March 2023). " 'Elvis' DP Mandy Walker Makes History as First Woman to Win Top Honors at American Society of Cinematographers Awards – Full Winners List". Variety . Retrieved 5 March 2023. Kroll, Justin (6 April 2021). "Searchlight Lands Sam Mendes' Next Film 'Empire of Light' Starring Olivia Colman". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved 27 July 2021. Neglia, Matt (19 December 2022). "The 2022 Women Film Critics Circle (WFCC) Winners". Next Best Picture . Retrieved 22 December 2022. Hilary becomes jealous when Stephen begins hanging out with Janine, a younger employee. While watching New Year's Eve fireworks from the cinema roof, Hilary impulsively kisses Stephen. The two of them begin a sexual relationship. Hilary cuts off Donald and, happy about the new relationship, stops taking her medication. Harper, Brad (23 February 2022). "Dreamland in Margate transformed into cinema for new Sam Mendes film Empire of Light starring Olivia Coleman and Colin Firth". Kent Online . Retrieved 25 October 2022.Cast: Tom Brooke, Olivia Colman, Colin Firth, Toby Jones, Crystal Clarke, Tanya Moodie, Hannah Onslow Tartaglione, Nancy (28 February 2022). "Sam Mendes Starts Production on 'Empire of Light'; Tom Brooke & Hannah Onslow Join Cast of Searchlight Pic". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved 28 February 2022. Tangcay, Jazz (5 January 2023). " 'Banshees of Inisherin', 'Everything Everywhere', 'Women Talking' Tie for Most Wins at Alliance of Women Film Journalists Awards". Variety . Retrieved 5 January 2023. Toronto International Film Festival announces Empire of Light director Sam Mendes as recipient of TIFF Ebert Director Award" (Press release). TIFF.net. 16 August 2022 . Retrieved 1 March 2023. It's a beautiful tribute to the magic of cinema that cinephiles will enjoy, but for viewers less passionate about the 7th art, it might be difficult to genuinely care."

The film follows a woman struggling with depression as she meets a trainee who unexpectedly connects with her. Through their relationship, she finds solace in her troubles. Although they both find comfort through their connection, there is still a sense that tragedy may be lurking just beneath the surface. Sure it looks pretty, I mean it’s Deakins, but it’s tonally lost in a sea of half baked characters and ideas. Colman is good, Micheal Ward is great, but Empire of Light struggles to find its voice resulting in the most aggressively okay movie of the year. Sanity is the Home of Country Music - if you're looking for a CD or DVD, if it's available, we will get it for you! The film is Mendes’ first solo screenplay and has reunited him for the 5th time with cinematographer Roger Deakins.It was announced in April 2021 that Sam Mendes had set his next film, which he would write and direct himself at Searchlight Pictures. Olivia Colman was in talks to star and Roger Deakins was announced as cinematographer. [5] Colman was confirmed in July, with Micheal Ward also joining the cast. [6] In December, Colin Firth, Toby Jones, Crystal Clarke and Tanya Moodie were added to the cast. [7] Tom Brooke and Hannah Onslow were confirmed to star in late February. [8] Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross composed the film's score. [9] Olivia Colman plays the cinema manager, Hilary, who is managing mental health issues in a time when we didn’t talk about it. Meanwhile, Micheal Ward is Stephen, a new employee who just wants to escape the town he currently lives in. The two of them find a sense of belonging with each other and in the cinema, and they will do anything they can to save it. Empire of Light DVD release date Zilko, Christian (2 September 2022). "New 'Empire of Light' Images Offer a Closer Look at Sam Mendes' Love Letter to Cinema". IndieWire . Retrieved 25 October 2022. Empire of Light was a Limited release in 2022 on Friday, December 9, 2022. There were 20 other movies released on the same date, including The Whale, Detective Knight: Redemption and Father Stu: Reborn. Anderson, Erik (22 December 2022). "2022 Florida Film Critics Circle winners: 'Decision to Leave', 'Everything Everywhere All At Once' are top winners". AwardsWatch . Retrieved 22 December 2022.

The film had its world premiere at the 49th Telluride Film Festival on 3 September 2022, and was released by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures through a limited theatrical release in the United States on 9 December 2022 and theatrically in the United Kingdom on 9 January 2023. Empire of Light received praise for Colman and Ward's performances and Roger Deakins's cinematography, but the screenplay was criticised. [ by whom?] At the 80th Golden Globe Awards, the film was nominated for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama for Colman, while Ward received a nomination for Best Actor in a Supporting Role at the 76th British Academy Film Awards. It also received a nomination for Best Cinematography at the 95th Academy Awards. [4] Plot [ edit ] Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross Scoring Sam Mendes' 'Empire of Light' ". Film Music Reporter. 23 August 2022 . Retrieved 24 August 2022. Empire of Light is a sweet, heartfelt, humane movie, which doesn’t shy away from the brutality and the racism that was happening in the streets outside the cinema: the Empire is showing Stir Crazy starring Richard Pryor and Gene Wilder, directed by Sidney Poitier – a message of diversity, if 1981 Britain cared to listen. It’s clearly a labour of love for Sam Mendes: love requited.Disney has announced details on the home video release of the Searchlight Pictures film, “Empire Of Light”, which is from acclaimed filmmaker Sam Mendes (1917, Skyfall) and has been nominated for an Academy Award. Sanity Entertainment is Australia's leading Retailer of Movies, TV Shows, Blu Ray, Gaming, Music, Books, Pop Vinyl and Official Merchandise.