Christopher Nolan is a filmmaker whose name is associated with epic films such as The Dark Knight trilogy, Dunkirk, and most recently with Tenet. Every film he produces is a masterclass in film design, cinematography, sound design, and quite arguably everything else. As a filmmaker, Christopher Nolan loves shooting on film and with IMAX cameras, both of which make each of his films feel grand, epic, and like classic cinema. So picking a film to deconstruct today was no easy feat, but one of the films that continues to surprise me, even if it is a controversial film, is Interstellar.
Interstellar brought together the best Physicians in the world as well as the best in the filmmaking business, this was to create a film that is both scientifically accurate but also looks great at the same time. The alien planets, the notion of time and space, and even the black hole in the film are all crafted based on what we know about our universe, which to be honest is very little. Don’t worry I am not going philosophical on today’s blog, instead here are some of my favourite shots from the film
The human element is always at the centre of these grand big epic stories, in typical Christopher Nolan fashion. It’s not just about the music and the visuals, it’s about the story the film tells. Interstellar is a film about a family torn apart thanks to the devastation of Earth and the hope for a better new world. The scenes on Earth, such as this scene with Jessica Chastain as Murphy, show the stakes at play throughout the film. The symbolism in this shot mirrors the fact that the Earth is burning up fast, with Murphy’s father away in space trying to find answers to a way of preserving human life.
Meanwhile, in space, the journey that Matthew McConaughey’s Cooper goes on is one of discovering the future of Mankind, by going into the unknown. The IMAX shots throughout the space scenes captivate the science and the fiction in a way that hasn’t been captured before. There is irony in the beauty of the black hole due to how deadly it is and how its ominous presence leads to a journey that mirrors the film 2001: A Space Odyssey. The size of the spaceship also puts the enormity of the black hole into perspective too and just shows how big the universe really is.
Towards the end of the film, Cooper arrives on an icy planet that literally folds in on itself. I love how the alien worlds have this feeling that something is off, but at the same time, there’s something similar to Earth in all of these environments. The visuals and the effects on this planet are outstanding and bring the film to its climax. Is there hope for mankind? The question that the film asks is explored on this planet, as the dangerous landscapes seem to forebode the motivation behind Matt Damon’s surprise character. I won’t spoil anymore, but what happens after is definitely a homage to 2001: A Space Odyssey.
You can see why I love Interstellar. It’s a visual feast, a triumph in film design, and a masterclass in storytelling. Whether you enjoy the film or not, you can’t deny how beautiful it is. The exploration of Space feels so accurate and epic, it just proves that Christopher Nolan knows what he is doing. Cinema doesn’t get anymore better than this.
Thanks for reading today’s blog!
Alex Murray, the Head of Eyesight Productions
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