The Fallen Empire: A weird, dusty walk through history

Is this for you?

If you like movies that feel like a dusty postcard found in an attic, you’ll dig The Fallen Empire. If you need a clear plot or someone explaining the history to you with a nice, clean map, stay far away. It’s a slow, weird wander through Haiti, and it doesn't care if you're keeping up.

The Vagabond Director really likes to linger. There’s this one shot of a crumbling wall that lasts for what feels like five full minutes. I found myself counting the cracks in the stone just to keep my eyes busy. It’s not necessarily boring, but it’s heavy.

The whole thing feels a bit like watching someone else’s old home movies from a trip they took in a fever dream. You get these glimpses of Henri Christophe’s old haunts, but there’s no real context. You’re just sort of there, standing in the weeds with a camera.

Oddly specific observations

• There is a fly that keeps buzzing near the microphone during the middle act. It’s distracting, but weirdly comforting in a low-budget way.
• The way the light hits the citadel makes the whole place look like it’s made of cardboard. I’m sure it’s not, but I couldn't unsee it.
• I kept thinking about The Dishonored Medal and how different that feels compared to this.

There’s no polish here. The sound cuts out for a second, then snaps back. The narrator sounds like he’s tired, or maybe just hot. Honestly, I’d be tired too if I were lugging gear around in that heat. ☀️

It’s not a movie you watch for answers. You watch it to feel the weight of a place that’s seen too much. It’s imperfect, a bit rambling, and totally strange. If you’ve got an hour to kill and don't mind a bit of silence, give it a go. Just don't expect a history lecture.