Page 179 - Cascade I SHPS School Magazine 2024
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ogy has a tense and dark tone, with complex char- storylines. Although not very popular at the time
acters and moral and ethical dilemmas. This rich of release, this film also unfolds in interwoven
narrative style has made this trilogy one of the sequences, which gradually reveal the connection
best in the superhero genre. between characters and events. This is also a feature
Film noir (French for “dark film”) was a popular of Dunkirk, as we can see in 2020. The protagonist,
genre during and after WW2. It was called ‘The Young Man’ has an uncanny obsession of
so for its dark lighting and sinister plots, often following strangers around London. Nolan’s
accompanied by graphic violence. Neo-noir films debut film shows his promise in thrillers, with
have a similar style but with modern themes and themes of identity, morality and denouement of
generally revolve around the antagonist. obsession along with notions of trust, betrayal
Memento is Nolan’s second neo-noir and other darker facets of humans.
psychological thriller, which catapulted Nolan Christopher Nolan has had a significant
to international fame and presented him impact on Hollywood through his innovative
with his first Academy nomination. The story storytelling techniques, commitment to practical
revolves around the protagonist trying to find his filmmaking and ability to blend commercial
wife’s killer through the limitations of short-term success with artistic integrity.
memory loss. But what makes this 2000 Even in this era of VFX and CGI, Nolan
film one of Nolan’s best works, is the way it is emphasizes practical effects and camera
unfolded through flashbacks and flash forwards.
This, combined with reverse chronological order, techniques, often building sets in lieu of green
makes the movie more immersive as the audience screens, providing his films with realism.
tries to piece together the case along with the Even as home screening and OTT platforms
protagonist. These multiple layers uncover layers become popular for film releases, Nolan shoots
of deception, manipulation, and self-deception, his films in IMAX format and advocates
also making us ponder how theatrical experience and seeing movies on the
our perspectives on events big screen.
make up our reality. The As opposed to focusing
notions of guilt, vengeance on action or thriller as its
and ideas of innocence play own, Nolan has infused
an important part in making thought-provoking and
this thriller truly exhilarating intellectual themes into his
and one of the best neo-noir movies, helping him garner
films of the modern times. box office hits. This shows
Released in 1998, Follow how influential Nolan is in
ing marks Christopher Hollywood.
Nolan’s entry into the Nolan has influenced
celluloid world with his the filmmaker’s approach
debut neo-noir psychological to storytelling, visual
thriller. Following marks the effects, and the cinematic
beginning of a series of films experience as a whole. His
with non-linear and multiple dedication to craftsmanship
narratives, fragmented and storytelling has left
storytelling with unnamed an indelible mark on the
protagonists and complex industry.
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