Hollywood’s Most Desirable Director Christopher Nolan Claims Nobody Wanted to Touch His 1 Movie Before Coming to Sundance
Acclaimed director Christopher Nolan received the inaugural Trailblazer Award at the Sundance Film Festival, where he recalled the difficult road to getting his breakthrough film Memento made. As presenter Robert Downey Jr. joked, Nolan may now wish to avoid public attention despite his immense success. But the British auteur looked back fondly on Sundance as the place that put Memento on the map after what he called an “appalling position” of nobody wanting the unconventional thriller initially.
What did Christopher Nolan say about pitching Memento before Sundance?
According to Variety, in accepting the Trailblazer Award, Christopher Nolan told the opening night crowd that he couldn’t find any takers for Memento when he first tried selling the film.
“Nobody wanted the film. It was an appalling position to be,” Nolan stated.
Starring Guy Pearce as a man with anterograde amnesia, Memento featured a complex backward narrative structure. But it was Sundance that finally gave Nolan’s film an audience and ignited its traction. Nolan credited Sundance with guaranteeing filmmakers “will get an audience” even if critics and audiences don’t always see eye to eye.
Memento premiered at Sundance in 2000, quickly generating buzz and jumpstarting Nolan’s Hollywood career. He’s gone on to make blockbusters like The Dark Knight trilogy and Inception.
But it was Sundance’s independent spirit that first embraced Nolan’s unconventional storytelling. He fondly recalled getting his “big break” at the festival over 20 years ago.
Also Read: Real Reason Christopher Nolan Did Not Trust Emily Blunt With Oppenheimer Script
What other highlights happened at Sundance’s opening night?
Along with honoring Nolan, Sundance awarded other cinema trailblazers. Kristen Stewart received the Visionary Award, reflecting on attending Sundance as a young actress.
“Sundance is the f*ing sh*t,” Stewart remarked, having returned over the years with films like Come Swim.
Also Read: Oppenheimer is Just 1 of 3 Roles Robert Downey Jr. is Obsessed With
Celine Song and Maite Alberdi also got Vanguard Awards for their Sundance films Past Lives and The Eternal Memory. Sundance founder Robert Redford was absent but sent a message welcoming attendees. The opening night saw various stars like Jodie Foster and Jesse Eisenberg supporting films.
After first gaining Sundance’s support with Memento, Nolan has gone on to become one of Hollywood’s most sought-after directors. But he amusingly remains humble enough to feel awkward with fame, according to presenter Downey’s jokes about Nolan recoiling from public recognition.
Yet Nolan’s tribute at Sundance demonstrated how the indie festival still holds a special place for him, even after mega-budget projects like Tenet and Oppenheimer. His Trailblazer Award commemorated Sundance’s essential role in launching his brilliance.
