Bruno Dumont goes Star Wars! It’s good versus evil in a French village and the cosmos, in this hilarious sci-fi satire.
In a sleepy fishing village on the coast of Northern France, newcomer Lina doesn’t understand why people are behaving so strangely, bowing to each other and greeting in inexplicable ways. Under the façade of everyday life, something far larger appears to be hiding. And when a baby is born, things start to get really weird.
In L’Empire, French director Bruno Dumont (Humanité, Hadewijch) tackles science fiction for the first time in his career, adding a healthy dose of fantasy. Dumont knows his classics and uses the grey, dull environment of Northern France as the setting for an epic cosmic battle. The combination of social realism and low budget Star Wars is employed consistently, making L’Empire irresistibly funny. With spaceships the size of cathedrals, razor sharp lightsabers and unlikely leaders, it’s easy to think L’Empire is just a goofy parody. But because Dumont also focuses on social issues – in his own singular way – the film stays with you for a long time.
