Bruno Dumont is Building an ‘Empire’

After a moment of reprieve in 2009’s Hadewijch, it looks as if Bruno Dumont will was again explore the nastier side of the human species with a film that will be featured in the backdrop of the sand dunes of Pas de Calais, France — which appears to be the northern region above Normandy.

L’Empire, Dumont’s sixth film, sees a strange man nestled in near the river and in marshes, where he poaches, prays, and lights fires. He is close to a farmer’s daughter who looks after him and feeds him. By murdering the girl’s father, who is violent towards her, helping a kid who is seized by strange pains and killing a guard, this fellow drives evil away from the hamlet and its inhabitants, in a fight against the Devil, until a miracle occurs. Early comparisons could be made to last year’s religious experience and perhaps the violent, tragic denouement in Twentynine Palms – which I thought was extremely difficult to digest.

The film will be produced by 3B Productions – which has backed all of Dumont’s films. I imagine we’ll receive some casting news shortly – we’ll keep you updated on whether he once again goes with non-professional actors.