Christopher Nolan, the acclaimed filmmaker behind movies like “Inception” and “Dunkirk,” has won the Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Theatrical Feature Film at the DGAs (Directors Guild of America), further boosting his chances of winning the Best Director award at the Oscars. This marks Nolan’s fifth nomination at the DGAs, with his previous nominations including films like “Memento” and “The Dark Knight.” The DGA Awards are often seen as a reliable indicator of who will win the Best Director category at the Academy Awards, with only eight instances in history where the two awards have disagreed.
During the awards ceremony, last year’s DGA Award winners Daniel Scheinert and Dan Kwan presented the award to Nolan. In his acceptance speech, Nolan expressed his gratitude towards the DGA for their advocacy for filmmakers’ rights and thanked his peers for the recognition. The competition for Best Director at the DGAs included renowned directors such as Martin Scorsese, Greta Gerwig, Yorgos Lanthimos, and Alexander Payne.
Nolan’s win at the DGAs adds to his already impressive list of accolades this awards season. He has previously won Best Director at the Golden Globes and Critics Choice Awards. Additionally, he is nominated for Best Film, Adapted Screenplay, and Director at the upcoming BAFTAs.
Cillian Murphy, who worked with Nolan on multiple projects, including “The Dark Knight” trilogy, presented Nolan with his nominee medal earlier in the evening. Murphy humorously reminisced about their long-standing collaboration and shared an anecdote about Nolan once praising him as the best actor ever after a night of revelry. Nolan flew to Ireland to personally hand Murphy the script for their latest collaboration, “Oppenheimer.”
In his acceptance speech for the nominee medal, Nolan expressed his appreciation for the DGA Awards and emphasized that filmmaking is a collaborative effort. He acknowledged the hard work and dedication of his crew, stating that they were instrumental in the success of “Oppenheimer.” He also thanked his wife, Emma Thomas, who serves as the lead producer for all of his films, as well as being the primary caregiver for their four children.
With his win at the DGAs, Christopher Nolan solidifies his position as a frontrunner for the Best Director category at the Oscars. His remarkable track record and the critical acclaim surrounding “Oppenheimer” make him a strong contender for the prestigious award. As the awards season progresses, all eyes will be on Nolan as he continues to make waves in the film industry.
