If you're going to perform inception, you need imagination. You need the simplest version of the idea-the one that will grow naturally in the subject's mind. Subtle art.
Christopher NolanRead
I always find myself gravitating to the analogy of a maze. Think of film noir and if you picture the story as a maze, you don't want to be hanging above the maze watching the characters make the wrong choices because it's frustrating. You actually want to be in the maze with them, making the turns at their side, that keeps it more exciting...I quite like to be in that maze.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote reflects Christopher Nolan's passion for immersive storytelling in film, emphasizing the importance of experiencing the narrative alongside the characters.
In this quote, Christopher Nolan uses the metaphor of a maze to describe the complexity and immersive experience of storytelling, particularly in film noir. He expresses a desire to be actively involved in the narrative alongside the characters, highlighting how this engagement creates a more thrilling and relatable experience for the audience. Rather than merely observing the characters' struggles from afar, he prefers to navigate the twists and turns of the story in real-time, enhancing emotional investment and excitement in the unfolding drama.
Themes
MazeStorytellingFilmEngagementNarrative
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a film discussion panel focusing on immersive narratives.
More from Christopher Nolan
All quotes →For the last 10 years, I've felt increasing pressure to stop shooting film and start shooting video, but I've never understood why. It's cheaper to work on film, it's far better looking, it's the technology that's been known and understood for a hundred years, and it's extremely reliable.
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When you play a videogame, you could be a completely different person than you are in the real world, certain aspects of the way your brain works can be leveraged for something you could never do in the real world.
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I think there are advantages to different scales of filmmaking. You wouldn't want to do just one thing.
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For me, Batman is the one that can most clearly be taken seriously. He's not from another planet, or filled with radioactive gunk. I mean, Superman is essentially a god, but Batman is more like Hercules: he's a human being, very flawed, and bridges the divide.
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I never considered myself a lucky person. I'm the most extraordinary pessimist. I truly am.
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