Christopher Nolan Tribute (Santa Barbara International Film Festival Master Award 2011)

Reviewed by Katharina Martin. Viewed at the Arlington Theather SBIFF 2011

Christopher Nolan has demonstrated exceptional prowess in all aspects of cinema. Has he written, directed, and produced movies that will stand as masterpieces throughout the centuries. Although I hated Memento when I first saw it (the same can be said for Batman Begins), it wasn’t until I developed an interest in film that I really began to appreciate his work. I first saw Following as a requirement for a film studies class, and was intrigued by every aspect of it. Upon further investigation, I learned that Nolan had written and shot this movie on weekends while attending college. As I delved deeper into the production aspect of film, I was assigned a project to re-create a scene from Memento. This was when I was really struck by Nolan’s genius and creativity. Not only did he become my favorite Hollywood icon, he also became my role model. Inception really sealed the deal for me, and I decided I liked it just by its previews. To see the amount of work that Nolan puts into every detail of every single one of his movies really shows just what a master he really is.

To my happy surprise, I acquired a ticket to go see a  Masters Award at the Santa Barbara Film Festival. (Obviously Christopher Nolan was the one to receive this award, his movies being nominated for several awards and all.) This was my first film festival ever, and I had absolutely no idea what to expect. I pulled some rookie moves and sat behind the place the cameramen set up to record the event. After finding/tripping my way to a seat right smack in the middle of everyone, I sat down and began to intently listen to everything being said. Going chronically through each one of his movies, Nolan gave a little insight to the making of each one. Some of the information I had researched, but much was learned through his interview that I couldn’t (or wouldn’t want to) get anywhere else. The most exciting part was learning about his projects in production: another Batman AND Superman! Directing one, and producing the other, Christopher Nolan continues to astonish his audiences with brilliant entertainment.

It was also really interesting to hear him talk about his thought processes in both working with his actors and developing his script. I think the touch Nolan brings to his films is that he is deeply involved in every aspect and process that goes into making it. He is ability to not only think up his stories, but flawless execute them on-screen is a talent rarely seen. Most people in the industry concentrate solely on one job (i.e. acting, directing, editing), yet Nolan has seemingly taken apart the psychology of each. His stories and actors are riveting, his camera work clever, his editing flawless, and everything else in addition. And this is all coming from a single person who has made a handful of movies that all contain this obvious mark of his mastery.

All in all, Christopher Nolan is amazing, and I look forward to seeing what else he has to bring to the big screen.