Empire () 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 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 as Anna Elizabeth Heegaard as Petrine as Peter von Scholten Jesper Groth as
Production 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. In January 2021, the project received €144,700 funding from the Nordisk Film & TV Fond.
The principal photography took place in Canary Islands in May and June 2021.
Release Empire had its world premiere on 29 January 2023 at the Gothenburg Film Festival, competing for the Dragon Awards. REinvent acquired the film's international sales shortly after the world premiere.
The film was released in Danish theatres on 20 April 2023. Netflix acquired its distribution rights, releasing it on 23 October 2023.
Accolades Award Date Category Recipient Result Gothenburg Film Festival 4 February 2023 Dragon AwardEmpire Nordic Council Film Prize 1 November 2023 Nordic Council Film Prize Robert Awards 3 February 2024 Best Danish Film Nina Leidersdorff, Frederikke Aspöck, and Anna Neye Best Actress in a Leading Role Anna Neye Best Actress in a Supporting Role Sara Fanta Traore Best Original Screenplay Anna Neye Best Cinematography Linda Wassberg Best Costume Design Charlotte Moe Bodil Awards16 March 2024 Best Danish Film Empire Best Actress in a Supporting RoleSara Fanta Traore TV 2 Talent Prize Best Screenplay Anna Neye
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