In 1980, Hilary Small works as a duty manager at the “Empire Cinema”, Margate, on the north coast of Kent, England. Hilary struggles with bipolar disorder, lives alone, has been prescribed lithium by her GP, and is having extramarital sex with her boss Donald Ellis.A new employee, Stephen, who is Black British and lives with his mother Delia who works as a nurse, starts his new job at the cinema. Hilary and Stephen begin a relationship. The pair find it difficult to deal with the racism Stephen experiences from some locals, as well as Hilary’s past relationships. It is later revealed that Hilary has spent time in a psychiatric hospital as her depression leads to mood swings, causing her to take a sabbatical. This culminates in Hilary revealing her affair with Donald to his wife Brenda during a screening of Chariots of Fire.Empire of Light 2022 Movie Download.
Stephen tries to help Hilary but the police raid her flat and she is sectioned. Hilary eventually returns to work, only to witness Stephen being attacked by three members of the National Front and admitted to hospital with severe injuries. Hilary visits him during his recovery, and Stephen’s mother reveals that Stephen often thinks of her. Having never watched a full film at the cinema, Hilary asks the projectionist, Norman, to show her a film of his choosing and he screens Being There. After Stephen is released from hospital, he is accepted to study architecture at the University of Bristol. Hilary is reluctant to properly say goodbye, but at the last minute overcomes this to embrace him and wish him luck.
Hilary continues to work at the cinema, content with the next chapter of her life.