STACK #194 Dec 2020

FILM FEATURE

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From the reverse narrative of Memento to the dreamscapes of Inception and the physics of Interstellar , time has played a major role in the films of Christopher Nolan. His latest, Tenet , fuses the concept of time and how we experience it to a traditional spy thriller with science fiction overtones. “T he simplest way to explain our approach is to say what we did with Inception for the heist Protagonist at its heart, who is inducted into a more-secret-than-secret organisation known as

and what’s expected of them that speaks to a different set of ethics and an accountability and responsibility to their fellow man. John David

I didn’t want to do this type of film unless I felt I could bring something fresh to it

genre is what Tenet attempts to bring to the spy movie genre,” says Christopher Nolan, adding that he had always wanted to make a film within that genre. “I grew up loving spy movies; it’s a really fun and exciting branch of fiction. But I didn’t want to do this type of film unless I felt I could bring something fresh to it. “ Tenet is an espionage thriller with a THE FILMS OF CHRISTOPHER NOLAN

Tenet,” he continues. “Often these types of characters are portrayed as being very hard and cynical. Yet, there is a

Washington and I both felt that we had an opportunity here to tap into those

attributes more, as a motivation for him doing the most extreme things, all for the greater good.”

degree of selflessness and self-sacrifice to what they do

BATMAN BEGINS (2005) The definitive Batman origin tale for many a bat-fan, Nolan’s gritty and grounded take on Bruce Wayne’s life begins with an explanation for the whole bat thing, and proceeds with style and flair through an Asian sojourn and on to finding his purpose as protector of Gotham City.

THE PRESTIGE (2006) The world of conjuring weaves its magic in this story of two early-1900s professional stage magicians, who, following a tragedy, enter into a most unprofessional rivalry that will ultimately trigger further tragic consequences.

THE DARK KNIGHT (2008) The second in Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy floored even the most conscientious superhero objectors, not least thanks to an incredible Oscar-winning performance by the late Heath Ledger as The Joker, which ranks alongside Joaquin Phoenix's portrayal as one of the very best.

12 DECEMBER 2020

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