To what extent does the theme of loss as a narrative device define Christopher Nolan as an auteur?
Projector: Display an image of Christopher Nolan
Speaker: In this presentation I will be arguing whether or not Christopher Nolan is an auteur. For an audience watching Christopher Nolan's films they can clearly see that there is a recurring theme of loss. Christopher Nolan uses different psychological tumours mainly loss as a narrative device, and I believe this could make him an auteur. In order to argue my case I need to explain what an auteur is, 'An auteur is a director who manifests a consistency of style and theme across his or her films.' [9] Christopher Nolan is a director that uses similar things such as themes, character roles/ types for example film noir femme fatale and non linear narratives. There are other elements which could contribute to Christopher Nolan being an auteur such as working with his brother but I will discuss them later.
Projector: Display clip from 'The Prestige' with a helpful quote [00:16:42-00:16:52]
Speaker: Christopher Nolan has made a name for himself with his latest blockbusters such as the Batman trilogy and Inception [3]. But he was displaying his techniques long before he was noticed by Warner Brothers in films like 'Following' 'Insomnia' and 'Memento' [2]. But after Christopher Nolan completed Batman Begins he went on to film 'The Prestige' [1] which displays a lot of his themes and techniques, this is the film I have chosen to discuss in more detail. In 'The Prestige' [1] Christopher Nolan uses the theme of loss in a different way which challenges the audience, the narrative is non linear so the audience is left in the dark for most of the film which is a narrative device. In this film both the main characters has suffered loss. Robert Angier (Jackman) suffers the loss of his wife who drowned in one of their acts, this sends him down the path of revenge. Alfred Borden (Bale) is the more psychological and ... because this character suffers loss in a deeper sense, he suffers the loss of his wife who committed suicide, loss of his fingers after being shot off in an act, loss of his brother and lastly the loss of identity. In order to create the perfect magic trick one of the Borden twins doesn't have their true identity, they take turns playing a part, 'Total devotion to his art, utter self sacrifice' [1]
Projector:
Speaker: The film that got Christopher Nolan noticed by film production companies was 'Memento' [2] which is another one of the films I have chosen to help me argue whether or not Christopher Nolan is an auteur, and like with his other films the theme of loss is used as a narrative device to make the film interesting. Again this film is non linear and the main character has suffered different types of loss. Leonard (Pearce) has suffered the loss of his wife who was murdered and this sends him on a revenge mission, much like Robert Angier in 'The Prestige'. But also Leonard has suffered the loss of his memory, when he and his wife was being attacked he got hit on the head which resulted in him suffering with short term memory loss. This plays a big part in the narrative and the development of the character, because 'The noir-ish indie feature starred Guy Pearce as an amnesiac man who relies on Polaroids and copious note-taking while seeking vengeance.' [4]. This results in Leonard never truly knowing the whole truth and will accept whatever truth is in front of him. As I mentioned earlier Christopher Nolan's continuing work with his Brother, Jonathan could be another piece of evidence for Christopher Nolan being an auteur. A lot of Nolan's films he has either written with his brother or like 'The Prestige' wrote the screenplay for an adaptation of the novel. Christopher Nolan seems to find work that suits his style perfectly and then he puts his own twist on filming.
Projector:
Speaker: The film that got Christopher Nolan noticed by film production companies was 'Memento' [2] which is another one of the films I have chosen to help me argue whether or not Christopher Nolan is an auteur, and like with his other films the theme of loss is used as a narrative device to make the film interesting. Again this film is non linear and the main character has suffered different types of loss. Leonard (Pearce) has suffered the loss of his wife who was murdered and this sends him on a revenge mission, much like Robert Angier in 'The Prestige'. But also Leonard has suffered the loss of his memory, when he and his wife was being attacked he got hit on the head which resulted in him suffering with short term memory loss. This plays a big part in the narrative and the development of the character, because 'The noir-ish indie feature starred Guy Pearce as an amnesiac man who relies on Polaroids and copious note-taking while seeking vengeance.' [4]. This results in Leonard never truly knowing the whole truth and will accept whatever truth is in front of him. As I mentioned earlier Christopher Nolan's continuing work with his Brother, Jonathan could be another piece of evidence for Christopher Nolan being an auteur. A lot of Nolan's films he has either written with his brother or like 'The Prestige' wrote the screenplay for an adaptation of the novel. Christopher Nolan seems to find work that suits his style perfectly and then he puts his own twist on filming.
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