Das Imperium der Wölfe (The Empire of Wolves, L'empire des Loupes)
France 2005

Opening 25 Aug 2005

Directed by: Chris Nahon
Writing credits: Jean-Christophe Grangé
Principal actors: Jean Reno, Arly Jover, Jocelyn Quivrin, Laura Morante, Philippe Bas

This dark thriller is based on the novel by Jean-Christophe Grangé. The movie is directed by Chris Nahon (Kiss of the Dragon) and stars Jean Reno (Mission Impossible, French Kiss), Arly Jover (Blade) and Jocelyn Quivrin (Elizabeth).

Anna Heymes (Jover) wakes up in her Paris home one day to find she has no memory whatsoever of her husband and their life together. Despite his apparent sincerity and concern, she becomes suspicious of the pressure he and the doctors put on her to undergo invasive medical treatment. With the help of therapist Matilde Urano (Laura Morante), Anna starts trying to find out what might be the real reason for the memory loss. In parallel and in the Turkish area of the city, a series of murders bring together detective Paul Nerteaux (Quivrin) and Shiffer (Reno) – an ex-cop with a dubious past hanging over his head. The victims are all very similar looking – red headed females. As the onion layers are peeled back, new revelations gradually bring the two stories together, linking both to a mysterious organisation known as the “Grey wolves”...

The Empire of Wolves is a well-crafted movie with interesting camera work and good acting. It is grimey and violent, so would not be everyone's idea of a good time. The story has an interesting way of taking the viewer both forward and back at the same time, building up the impression that it is going in one direction and then suddenly switching in another. (Osanna Vaughn)