Olivia Colman’s forbidden love in “Empire of Light,” out February 23

The hearts of the public have won stream Through The crown (Netflix) British actress Olivia Coleman49 years old, returns to the big screen to show off his acting skills on the tape light richwill be released in national theaters this Thursday, February 23.

At the beginning of the story, Hilary (Colman) has been going through a mental health episode for which she has been medicated. “He doesn’t really feel anything very strongly,” says Colman. “He fulfills all the formalities of the job almost mechanically and does not speak to anyone. She leads a rather lonely life, but she wants something more; want to feel more”.

And at that moment, Stephen, played by Michael Wardcome into his life going to work in the same cinema where Hilary also spends her days. However, Stephen has his own challenges: make your way in a racist world -either because of a reactionary government or a violent youth -; But, By staying true to himself, he connects with Hilary in an unexpected way..

“He’s been rejected by several universities and he’s at a crossroads trying to find himself,” says Ward. “When something like that is taken from you, you have to find something else that satisfies you. He is a young black man, excited by life’s opportunities; loves people, enjoys contact with music and movies and refuses to accept that an oppressive society defines him”. It’s relentlessly positive.

light rich It is also the director’s first script 1917 He wrote from scratch, without the cooperation of another screenwriter. “I found this story of a lost soul who finds a strange family in the cinema.”said the producer Piper Harris. Personally dealt with mental illness within his own family, Mendes based the character on his own childhood memories..

A pain that lights up

Hilary’s part was written especially for Colman.even though she and the director had not met, but he followed up on her performance The crown. “Olivia was brilliant in her role, so I thought I should play Hilary. I didn’t know her, but I started writing the newspaper with her in mind”.

At the same time, she was also an admirer of Mendes’ work on American beauty (1999). “I don’t know what I expected, but Sam is just so gentle and kind,” Colman says. “He won’t let go of your hand. He knows how to talk to each person individually so that you understand him. She would put herself in the character’s skin, talking to me like Hilary could or moving like she could”.

That direction was especially valuable for bringing a changing character to life.: “Hilary transforms: she goes from feeling nothing to feeling a constant itch. She goes off the medication and goes through different stages until she becomes heroic in her mania. I loved playing Hilary, because of all the different emotional states she goes through”.

Ward, winner of the 2020 Bafta Rising Star Award, points out The relationship between Stephen and Hilary is a unique exchange as they help each other grow. “Stephen infuses Hilary with great optimism, love, enthusiasm and opens her up to a different culture and art as well as his own experiences,” she says. “While She brings her perspective, her view of life, his love of poetry and words, and just gives him support, encouragement. She totally sees it. Both are a bit excluded from society, and that connective tissue unites them whether they are aware of it or not. It is an exchange of energy and love. They give each other things they don’t even know they need. Hilary had never met anyone like Stephen, and that also allows her to define herself as a person.”.