A first look at Top Boy star Micheal Ward and The Crown's Olivia Colman in the anticipated new movie Empire of Light has been unveiled.
The film, which is directed, written and produced by Skyfall and 1917's Sam Mendes, follows a "poignant story about human connection and the magic of cinema" in a seaside town in the 1980s.
In the powerful first stills from the movie, we see the two actors in character in what appears to be an empty bar, and another beautiful-looking shot sees two figures looking at a firework display over a harbour, with a neon sign saying "Empire" next to them.
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The first look comes upon the announcement that Empire of Light will get its European premiere at the BFI London Film Festival for its American Express Gala on October 12, ahead of its December release date.
"I'm absolutely delighted to be included in this year's BFI London Film Festival as the AMEX Gala screening. Empire of Light is a very personal movie for me, and I can't wait to show it in my hometown," Mendes said.
"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," added Tricia Tuttle, BFI London Film Festival Director.
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"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."
Also set to star are Kingsman's Colin Firth, Captain America's Toby Jones, Motherland's Tanya Moodie, The Crown's Tom Brooke and Sanditon's Crystal Clarke.
Empire of Light will premiere in cinemas December 9.
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Sam is a freelance reporter and sub-editor who has a particular interest in movies, TV and music. After completing a journalism Masters at City University, London, Sam joined Digital Spy as a reporter, and has also freelanced for publications such as NME and Screen International. Sam, who also has a degree in Film, can wax lyrical about everything from Lord of the Rings to Love Is Blind, and is equally in his element crossing every 't' and dotting every 'i' as a sub-editor.
