Empire (2023 film)
| Empire | |
|---|---|
.jpg) | |
| Directed by | Frederikke Aspöck |
| Written by | Anna Neye |
| Produced by |
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| Starring |
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| Cinematography | Linda Wassberg |
| Edited by | Martin Schade |
| Music by | Rasmus Bille Bahncke |
Production companies |
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Release date |
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Running time | 93 minutes |
| Country | Denmark |
| Language | Danish |
Empire (Danish: Viften) is a 2023 absurdist period drama film directed by Frederikke Aspöck from a screenplay by Anna Neye. It stars Neye and Sara Fanta Traore.
The film had its world premiere on 29 January 2023 at the 2023 Gothenburg Film Festival. It won the 2023 Nordic Council Film Prize.
Premise
[edit]In the Danish West Indies in 1848, Anna Elizabeth Heegaard, a wealthy "free colored" woman, maintains a close friendship with Petrine, her housekeeper who is enslaved. Meanwhile, rumors of a slave rebellion begin to circulate.
Cast
[edit]- Anna Neye as Anna Elizabeth Heegaard
- Sara Fanta Traore as Petrine
- Claus Riis Østergaard as Peter von Scholten
- Jesper Groth as Admiral Irminger
Production
[edit]The idea of the film was conceived during Neye's trip to Saint Croix in 2015, where she filmed a documentary about the history of black Danes.[1][2] In January 2021, the project received €144,700 funding from the Nordisk Film & TV Fond.[3]
The principal photography took place in Canary Islands in May and June 2021.[2]
Release
[edit]Empire had its world premiere on 29 January 2023 at the Gothenburg Film Festival, competing for the Dragon Awards.[4] REinvent acquired the film's international sales shortly after the world premiere.[5]
The film was released in Danish theatres on 20 April 2023.[6] Netflix acquired its distribution rights, releasing it on 23 October 2023.[7]
Accolades
[edit]| Award | Date | Category | Recipient | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gothenburg Film Festival | 4 February 2023 | Dragon Award | Empire | Nominated | [8] |
| Nordic Council Film Prize | 1 November 2023 | Nordic Council Film Prize | Won | [9] | |
| Robert Awards | 3 February 2024 | Best Danish Film | Nina Leidersdorff, Frederikke Aspöck, and Anna Neye | Nominated | [10] |
| Best Actress in a Leading Role | Anna Neye | Nominated | |||
| Best Actress in a Supporting Role | Sara Fanta Traore | Nominated | |||
| Best Original Screenplay | Anna Neye | Nominated | |||
| Best Cinematography | Linda Wassberg | Nominated | |||
| Best Costume Design | Charlotte Moe | Nominated | |||
| Bodil Awards | 16 March 2024 | Best Danish Film | Empire | Nominated | [11] |
| Best Actress in a Supporting Role | Sara Fanta Traore | Nominated | |||
| TV 2 Talent Prize | Nominated | ||||
| Best Screenplay | Anna Neye | Nominated |
References
[edit]- ^ Ludvigsen, Jacob (17 April 2023). "Ny Film om Dansk Slavefortid Blander Brutalitet og Humor: »Det Var Ekstremt Voldeligt Bare at Skulle Sidde og Tage Imod Alt Det Lort«". Soundvenue. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
- ^ a b Ntim, Zac (13 February 2023). ""We've Been Told A Completely Different Story About Danish History": How Frederikke Aspöck & Anna Neye Crafted Göteborg Colonial Satire 'Empire'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
- ^ Abbatescianni, Davide (13 January 2021). "The Nordisk Film & TV Fond announces the recipients of its January round of funding". Cineuropa. Archived from the original on 3 October 2024. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
- ^ Balaga, Marta (27 January 2023). "Göteborg Film Fest Champions New Nordic Talent, Addresses Colonialism With Screenings of 'Godland' and 'Empire'". Variety. Archived from the original on 3 October 2024. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
- ^ Ntim, Zac (9 February 2023). "'Empire': Danish Satire From 'The Wife' Producer Gets Sales Deal After Goteborg Debut — EFM". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
- ^ Hansen, Laura Dalgård (18 April 2023). "Se billederne: Kendte gæster til premiere på filmen Viften". Billed Bladet. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
- ^ "Den danske film 'Viften' får premiere på Netflix". Flixfilm. 12 October 2023. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
- ^ Balaga, Marta (4 February 2023). "Goteborg Film Festival Prizes: Malou Reymann's 'Unruly' Named Best Nordic Film". Variety. Archived from the original on 3 October 2024. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
- ^ Mitchell, Wendy (1 November 2023). "Denmark's 'Empire' wins $45,000 Nordic Council Film Prize". Screen International. Archived from the original on 3 October 2024. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
- ^ "Robert Prisen 2024: Her er de nominerede". Idoart. 9 January 2024. Archived from the original on 10 January 2024. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
- ^ Didriksen, Karina (26 January 2024). "Se listen: Her er de nominerede til Bodil-prisen 2024". Billed Bladet. Archived from the original on 26 January 2024. Retrieved 12 July 2024.