Bruno Dumont's "L'empire" presents a visually stunning journey across northern France, capturing its landscapes-from fields to sea and sand dunes-with tasteful drone shots, alongside the grandeur of the Versailles Palace and the Saint Chapel turned spaceships. The cinematography, marked by beautiful landscapes and great shots, is complemented by impressive special effects and beautifully designed vessels, showcasing Dumont's mastery of his craft and general attention to visual detail.
However, beneath its exquisite exterior, "L'empire" delves into an absurd satire where the forces of good and evil grapple over humanity's fate, centering around a child who embodies all the evil in the world. This premise, while intriguing, unfolds into a narrative filled with empty dialogues and scenes devoid of meaningful content. The storyline offers little in terms of character development, despite the peculiar and endearing cast. This aspect resonated personally with me, as the characters' authenticity and their reminiscent nature of my childhood in this region touched a familiar chord.
Despite its potential, the film's attempt at humor often falls flat, as evidenced during its screening at the Berlinale in a theater filled with over 2000 attendees where laughter was notably scarce. Clocking in at 90 minutes, the movie paradoxically feels much longer, plagued by a lack of substantive material and cringe-worthy moments, that neither the visual beauty nor the quality of the effects could salvage.
The sound design, a tasteful blend of classical and jazz, stands in stark contrast to the unpleasant vocal tones of the higher beings and the screeching sounds in moments of tension, offering some auditory relief amidst the film's broader discord.
Dumont tries to tackle themes of power, grandeur, divine and absolute rulership, drawing parallels between the French monumental legacies and the modern, humbler territories of northern France. However, the film struggles to connect these historical reflections with any tangible influence in contemporary society, rendering the battle between good and evil an abstract and ultimately insubstantial concept.
"L'empire" might aim to convey a deeper meaning through its exploration of historical and modern themes, but it falls short, succumbing to a style-over-substance approach. For those seeking a comedy, this film might not meet expectations, leaving much to be desired in both narrative depth and humor. In the end, "L'empire" remains a visually captivating yet narratively unfulfilling experience, highlighting a missed opportunity to blend its aesthetic achievements with a coherent and engaging story.
