Christopher Jonathan James Nolan (born July 30, 1970) is a film director, writer and producer. The son of an English father and American mother, Nolan is a dual citizen of the United Kingdom and United States. He is married to Emma Thomas, his longtime producer. They have four children together and reside in Los Angeles. He often collaborates with his brother, author Jonathan Nolan. Nolan is best known for directing the psychological thriller Memento, and for reviving the Batman film franchise as the director of Batman Begins (2005) and The Dark Knight (2008).
Early life
Nolan was born in London and spent his childhood in both London and Chicago. Nolan began film-making at the age of seven using his father's Super 8 camera and his toy action figures. While living in Chicago as a child, he also made short films with future director and producer Roko Belic.
Nolan was educated at Haileybury College, an independent school near Hertford in Hertfordshire, England, and later studied English literature at University College London while filming several short films in the college film society. The first, Tarantella, was shown in 1989 on Image Union, an independent film and video showcase featured on PBS. A second short film, Larceny, was shown during the 1996 Cambridge Film Festival. Another notable short film was called Doodlebug with Jeremy Theobald who later starred in Following. Christopher Nolan married fellow producer/author Emma Thomas in 1997.
Professional career
Following
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Nolan directed his first feature film, Following, in 1996. The film depicts a writer who is obsessed with following random people. Scenes are shown out of chronological order, and as such the viewer becomes disoriented; having to deduce the elements of the story in the same way as the protagonist calculates what is going on around him.
Nolan made the film for just $6,000. He shot it on weekends, over the course of a year, working with friends he had met at the University College London film society. It began to receive notice after premiering at the 1998 San Francisco Film Festival, and was eventually distributed on a limited basis by Zeitgeist in 1999.
As a result of the film's success, Newmarket Films optioned the script for Nolan's next film, Memento.
On the Young man's (protagonist) apartment door is the classic 'Batman' symbol. Somewhat prophetically, Christopher Nolan went on to direct both 'Batman Begins' and 'The Dark Knight', casting Jeremy Theobold, Lucy Russell and John Nolan, all actors in 'Following'.
Memento
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Main article: Memento (film)
Memento (2000) is a critically acclaimed cult classic and was nominated for both a Golden Globe and an Academy Award (Oscar) for best screenplay.
The movie is based on the short story Memento Mori, written by Christopher's brother, Jonathan Nolan. It follows widower Leonard Shelby (played by English-born Australian actor Guy Pearce) who suffers a head injury and is unable to form new memories. What distinguishes the film is Nolan's technique of presenting events partially in reverse-chronological order and then in chronological order. Using this technique, Nolan forces viewers into the mentally-impaired protagonist's position — also encountering disoriented events.
Nolan had developed this cutting technique in Following. The latter, however, presents a structure in which the three acts are cut together, whereas Memento presents two linear timelines — one running forwards, one backwards — which are cut together and which meet in the middle. This crossing-over is signified by the transition from black and white film stock to color as the timeline transitions from forwards to backwards.
Insomnia
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In 2002 Nolan directed Insomnia, an American remake of the 1997 Norwegian film of the same name (although with major changes in both the plot and the nature of the main character). The plot involves two detectives brought to Alaska to assist local authorities in locating a killer. However, the search occurs during the "sunny" season in Alaska, and the film's protagonist, played by Al Pacino, is unable to sleep because of the constant daylight. His sleepless "nights" lead to bad decisions and Nolan's characteristic confusion, for both the protagonist and the viewer. The film also stars Robin Williams and Hilary Swank. The movie was praised by critics as a rare case of a well-done American remake of a European film.citation needed
Batman Begins
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Main article: Batman Begins
In 1997, Warner Bros Pictures put its Batman franchise on an indefinite hiatus when the fourth installment, Batman and Robin, was released to negative reviews and disappointing box office.
Nolan had said that while he was content with his directing résumé, he had always dreamed of directing a blockbuster. He created his opportunity in 2003 when, together with Blade screenwriter David S. Goyer, he convinced Warner Bros. to take the risk of entrusting the first of a revived Batman series to a relatively unknown director.
The actor selected to play the leading role, Christian Bale, was a favorite choice among movie fans due to his work in movies such as American Psycho and Equilibrium. Batman Begins was released on 15 June 2005 and became a box office hit, ranking as the third biggest blockbuster of that summer. It received a very positive critical and public reception, with many ranking it as superior to even the 1989 version, for instance receiving, according to Rotten Tomatoes, an overall 84% positive review compared to 69% for the Tim Burton film. Strengths of the movie included its dark and intelligent storyline, strong emphasis on character, and the predominant themes of fear and duality. Cillian Murphy also stars as the psychological villain of fear, The Scarecrow (a.k.a. Dr. Jonathan Crane).
Batman Begins was a major winner at the 32nd annual Saturn Awards. The film won for Best Fantasy Film, Best Actor for Christian Bale and Best Writing for Nolan and Goyer. The film was also nominated for the Academy Award for Best Cinematography.
The Prestige
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The Prestige, released on 20 October 2006, is an adaptation of the Christopher Priest novel about two rival magicians in the 19th century. It reunites Nolan with Batman Begins stars Christian Bale and Michael Caine. Hugh Jackman, Scarlett Johansson, and David Bowie also star. The movie had a mostly positive response from critics and made over $109 million worldwide.[1] The film was co-scripted by his brother, Jonathan Nolan and co-produced with his wife, Emma Thomas.
The Dark Knight
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In the months following The Prestige's release, Nolan made numerous comments suggesting that he would return to direct the sequel to Batman Begins.[2] In late July 2006, the sequel was officially confirmed as The Dark Knight with Nolan at the helm and Heath Ledger joining the cast as The Joker, Batman's arch-nemesis.[3] Actress Katie Holmes, who played the hero's romantic interest in Begins, had been replaced by Maggie Gyllenhaal, whose brother Jake Gyllenhaal auditioned for the role of Bruce Wayne/Batman in 2003. Aaron Eckhart, who turned down the leading role in Memento, plays Harvey Dent/Two-Face. Nolan and his brother Jonathan wrote a script, based on a treatment written by himself and David S. Goyer. The film began production in early 2007 and was released on 16 July 2008 in Australia and 18 July 2008 in the United States, to overwhelming critical acclaim. It has also had enormous box office success, setting the record for the highest-grossing weekend opening in the U.S. with over $158 million.[4]
Upcoming projects
The Keys to the Street
After "Following," Nolan wrote the screenplay for this adaptation of the Ruth Rendell novel. Even in 2002, it was suggested that he was unlikely to direct it, since it "has a lot in common with the three films (Nolan) has (already) made." [5]
The Prisoner
A rep of Chris Nolan's recently alluded to him potentially returning to an indie. The only project he's currently signed on to direct -- beyond the possible next Batman installment -- is an adaptation of the 1960's British secret-agent series The Prisoner for Universal.
Director filmography
Major motion pictures
Short films
- Tarantella (1989) (Also writer-producer)
- Larceny (1996) (Also writer-producer)
- Doodlebug (1997) (Also writer-producer)
Publications
- Articles
References
External links
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