In an age where the war with Ukraine has caused Russian films to be effectively removed from world cinemas, it would seem odd that EMPIRE V is getting a world wide release until you realize that the Russian government banned it and a couple of it’s stars is in trouble for criticizing the war and one being declared foreign agent. Having seen the film I completely understand why the Russians are pissed since whatever you think of the film as a whole, the film is a scathing satiric takedown of the Russian ruling class.
The film is a reimagining of vampires. They are made when a “tongue” a worm like creature is transferred into a human. This gives the person all sorts of powers. While they do need blood, they can eat other things. Additionally they can go out into the light.
The film follows a Roman, young man who is given a tongue by Brahama, a dying vampire. By doing so the old guy will in someway carry on in some way since the tongue allows you to share memories. Inheriting Brahama’s fortune Roman, is trained in what he has to do an how to survive with his new abilities. Along the way he learns about the real overlords of the world (hence the banning by the Russians).
A visually stunning, EMPIRE V is a big screen movie. Almost every shot has something to delight the eyes. In most cases the images are not just eye candy but something that help propel the film forward. The world of the vampires is like our own, only with more bling.
The narrative is good, but one has the sense that it is trying to do too much into little time. Feeling like the first film in a series (which will never happen thanks to the ban at home) the film suffers from trying to explain a bit too much. Unlike other films that try something similar it isn’t fatal it just takes the edge off slightly. On the other hand it may not seem as bad on the next viewing.
Despite the minor flaws I liked EMPIRE V. It’s largely a lot of fun- and it gets a lot of bonus points for setting up a world we’ve never seen a hundred times before.
Worth a look.
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