The Nolan Affect: How Does the Sublime Shape Our Understanding of Christoper Nolan’s Cinematic Universe?

Sammanfattning

This study discusses three films by Christopher Nolan: Inception, Interstellar, and Oppenheimer,and how their construction is dependent on the sublime. Specifically, how the films include abuildup to the sublime, the sublime moment itself, and an unresolved ending. A detailed analysis ofthe films provides examples of how the sublime effect is constructed by a rapid editing style, asexemplified by post-cinematic theories, and by an immersive, all encompassing soundtrack. Whilenarrative complexity is often touted as a key characteristic of Nolan, I argue that the sublime is farmore crucial to his films’ construction, and that this may help explain their popularity and whypeople are so adamant about seeing them on the big screen. Oppenheimer provides a naturalconclusion to his body of work, building upon elements from both Inception and Interstellar, suchas his use of sound, focalisation, and expansive music. This may be further developed in his nextproject, the Odyssey.