At the 2024 Oscars, Christopher Nolan secured his first-ever Best Director win.
Expressing gratitude during his acceptance speech on Sunday, March 10, the 53-year-old filmmaker thanked various individuals for their contributions to his film ‘Oppenheimer.’
Nolan lauded the film’s exceptional cast, including Matt Damon, Robert Downey Jr., Emily Blunt, Florence Pugh, and Cillian Murphy, the latter of whom won Best Actor in a Leading Role for his portrayal of J. Robert Oppenheimer.
Acknowledging the invaluable efforts of the film’s crew, some of whom were recognized that night, Nolan extended his appreciation to Universal and the authors of ‘American Prometheus,’ Kai Bird and Martin Sherwin, for inspiring the film.
Concluding his speech, Nolan expressed gratitude to his wife, Emma Thomas, who serves as a producer on their projects and is the mother of their four children.
Reflecting on the journey of cinema, he emphasized the significance of movies in the cultural landscape and expressed humility at being part of that narrative.
‘Oppenheimer’ garnered seven Oscars out of its 13 nominations, including Best Picture, Best Original Score, Best Cinematography, and Best Film Editing.
Competing in the Best Director category alongside Justine Triet for ‘Anatomy of a Fall,’ Martin Scorsese for ‘Killers of the Flower Moon,’ Yorgos Lanthimos for ‘Poor Things,’ and Jonathan Glazer for ‘The Zone of Interest,’ Nolan emerged victorious at the ceremony held at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.
Before the Oscars, Scorsese, 81, was the sole winner in the category, boasting 16 nominations throughout his career. Nolan, with eight previous nominations, emerged victorious at the 2024 Golden Globe Awards for Best Director – Motion Picture.
The nominations sparked conversation, notably with Greta Gerwig’s exclusion from the Best Director category for ‘Barbie,’ despite the film’s significant recognition. Gerwig, 40, expressed contentment for the film’s overall success, highlighting her nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay.
As the industry celebrated its achievements, Nolan’s win marked a significant milestone in his illustrious career, symbolizing the culmination of years of dedication to his craft.