Christopher Nolan The Iconic Filmmaker and his work

by Nathan, Ian

• ISBN13: 9780711277120
• ISBN10: 0711277125
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2022-11-08
• Publisher: White Lion Publishing

Summary

This comprehensive and in-depth study delves into the life and works of one of modern films most celebrated, successful and intriguing auteurs, Christopher Nolan.

‘What is the most resilient parasite? Bacteria? A virus? An intestinal worm? An idea. Resilient…highly contagious. Once an idea has taken hold of the brain it’s almost impossible to eradicate.’  - Cobb, Inception 

How has Nolan become this leading director? Is he the new Kubrick? What do audiences get out of his games?

Visually, he offers a steely science-fiction noir with the highlights of big stars and a magician’s flourishes, whether he is tackling Victorian London or the far reaches of outer space. In narrative terms, his films twist and turn, provoking as many questions as they answer.

This book will look to crack open the magic box of Nolan’s twisting universe. As a character, he eludes easy answers. Veteran film author Ian Nathan’s research will lean into deciphering his cryptic pronouncements and motivations alongside the history and making of his films.

Examining both the making of and the inspiration behind his many, many hit films, from The Prestige (2006) to the hugely successful Batman films, through to his mind-bending science fiction works such as Inception (2014) and Tenet (2020).

Filled with fascinating insights and illustrated throughout with cinematography from his visually stunning ouvre, this book offers a unique, important, and unmissable insight into the mind of this most brilliant of directors.

Author Biography

Ian Nathan, who lives and works in London, is one of the UK’s best-known film writers. He is the author of nine previous books, including Alien Vault, the best-selling history of Ridley Scott’s masterpiece, Terminator Vault, Tarantino, Tim Burton, The Coen Brothers and Anything You Can Imagine: Peter Jackson and the Making of Middle-earth. He is the former editor and executive editor of Empire, the world’s biggest movie magazine, where he remains a contributing editor. He also regularly contributes to The Times, The Independent, The Mail on Sunday, Cahiers Du Cinema and the Discovering Film documentary series on Sky Arts. 

Table of Contents

CHAPTERS
 
CONTENTS
 
INTRODUCTION
 
1. THE HYBRID KID
 
The early days and Following (1998)
 
SIDBAR: Micro-Nolan — the significance of Christopher Nolan’s short films: Tarantella, Larceny, Doodlebug, and Quay
 
2. THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS
 
Memento (2000) & Insomnia (2002)
 
3. ORIGIN OF THE SPECIES
 
Batman Begins (2005)
 
SIDEBAR: If You Build It — from Gotham City to the HMS Basilisk, ten great sets designed and built for the man who refuses to use CGI.
 
4. SLEIGHT OF HAND
 
The Prestige (2006)
 
5. WHY SO SERIOUS?
 
The Dark Knight (2008)
 
6. HEAD SPINNING
 
Inception (2010)
 
SIDEBAR: Inception Decoded — what (might) really be going on beneath the surface of Nolan’s most interesting film, and fan obsessions with his cryptic ideas.
 
7. GOODBYE TO GOTHAM
 
The Dark Knight Rises (2012)
 
8. THE FIFTH DIMENSION
 
Interstellar (2014)
 
SIDEBAR: Science as Fiction — Nolan’s fascination and use of real physics in his movies.
 
9. ON THE BEACH
 
Dunkirk (2017)
 
10. THE FUTURE IS NOW
 
Tenet (2020) & Oppenheimer (2023)
 
FIILMOGRAPHY & CREDITS