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Empire

Name: Empire
Director: Andy Warhol
Released: 1965
Duration: 479 min

Representation Score

0.6/10

Minimal

1965

Director

Andy Warhol

Runtime

479 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Empire is a work of pure formalist experimentation that removes character, dialogue, and plot. Since the film consists of a single stationary shot of the Empire State Building, it lacks the human subjects necessary for traditional identity-based analysis. While the film does not engage with identity politics or underrepresented groups, it disrupts typical Western media consumption habits. Its low diversity score reflects the film's extreme minimalism rather than a lack of progressive intent.

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Category Breakdown

Does Empire have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

Since the film contains no human characters, there is no depiction of gender identity, sexual orientation, or LGBTQ themes.

How does Empire portray gender?

Minimal

The film operates outside of gendered social hierarchies. Without human subjects, there is no engagement with masculinity or femininity.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Empire?

Minimal

The focus is solely on the architecture, so there is no analysis of racial or ethnic representation among the characters.

How does Empire represent religion and culture?

Fair

The film rejects Western narrative traditions and commercial imperatives of mainstream cinema. It emphasizes the mundane over dramatic pacing.

Does Empire include disability representation?

Minimal

The film does not depict any individuals, so it does not engage with neurodivergence or physical disability.

Present on Screen

Challenges the traditional ways stories are consumed by rejecting conventional narrative structures.
Subverts the commercial imperatives and fast-paced storytelling typical of mainstream media.
Offers a radical departure from Western storytelling through its minimalist aesthetic.

Limited or Absent

Lacks human subjects, preventing any engagement with gender, race, or sexual orientation.
Does not include explicit anti-institutional or political messaging to support its cultural critique.
Provides no representation of neurodivergence or physical disability due to its architectural focus.

Official Synopsis

Filmed by Jonas Mekas from the 44th floor of the Time-Life Building, “Empire” explores the passage of time without the use of characters or a traditional narrative. The film, that consists of one stationary shot of the Empire State Building, was made from standard 1,200-foot rolls of 16mm film with a more than eight-hour runtime.

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