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Christopher Nolan

Christopher Nolan is an award-winning filmmaker who has been recognized for his work as a director, writer, and producer. Born in London, Nolan began making movies at an early age with his father’s Super-8mm camera. While studying English Literature at University College London, he shot 16mm films at UCL’s film society, where he learned the guerrilla film techniques he would later use to make his first feature, Following. The noir thriller was recognized at a number of international film festivals prior to its theatrical release.

Nolan’s second film was the independent feature Memento, which he directed from his own screenplay, based on a short story by his brother Jonathan. Starring Guy Pearce, the film brought Nolan numerous honors, including Academy Award and Golden Globe Award nominations for Best Original Screenplay, Independent Spirit Awards for Best Director and Best Screenplay, and a Directors Guild of America (DGA) Award nomination. Nolan went on to direct the critically acclaimed psychological thriller, Insomnia, starring Oscar winners Al Pacino, Robin Williams, and Hilary Swank.

In 2005, Nolan co-wrote and directed Batman Begins, starring Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Liam Neeson, Gary Oldman, and Morgan Freeman. Lauded by critics and audiences alike, Nolan’s film re-imagined the classic Batman movie franchise and made the iconic hero relevant to our time. In 2008, Nolan directed, co-wrote, and produced The Dark Knight, which went on to gross more than one billion dollars at the global box office and received worldwide critical acclaim. Nolan was nominated for a Directors Guild of America (DGA) Award, Writers Guild of America (WGA) Award, and Producers Guild of America (PGA) Award. The film also received eight Academy Award nominations.

Nolan directed, co-wrote, and produced a mystery thriller in 2006. The Prestige stars Christian Bale and Hugh Jackman as magicians whose obsessive rivalry leads to tragedy and murder. The film received Academy Award nominations for its outstanding period art direction and cinematography.

In 2010, Nolan captivated audiences with the acclaimed sci-fi thriller Inception, which he directed and produced from his own original screenplay. The thought-provoking drama was a worldwide blockbuster, earning more than $800 million dollars and becoming one of the most discussed and debated films of the year. Among its many honors, Inception received four Academy Awards and eight nominations, including Best Picture and Best Screenplay. Nolan was recognized by his peers with DGA and PGA Award nominations, as well as a WGA Award for his work on the film.

Last year, Nolan concluded his trilogy of Batman films with The Dark Knight Rises. Like its predecessor, it performed extremely well at the box-office, earning more than one billion dollars worldwide. Only three directors have achieved this milestone with two separate films: James Cameron, Peter Jackson, along with Christopher Nolan. It also marked the final collaboration between Christopher Nolan and cinematographer Wally Pfister, who recently started his own directing career.

This year, Christopher Nolan produced Man of Steel, directed by Zack Snyder. This was the first time Nolan had produced a film and did not direct.

Currently, Christopher Nolan is co-writing, directing, and producing his 9th feature film, Interstellar. It will star Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway, Jessica Chastain, and Michael Caine. Filming is planned to start this August and the film is set for release on November 7, 2014.

Nolan resides in Los Angeles with his wife, producer Emma Thomas, and their children. Nolan and Thomas also helm their own production company, Syncopy.