Christopher Nolan arrived in Paris on Friday evening to receive an honorary César Award at the 49th edition of France's Best Film Awards.
The trip to Paris with producer and wife Emma Thomas came on the final day of the Academy Awards for Oppenheimer, who was nominated for 13 awards.
Directed by Nolan Marion Cotillard, who appeared in , won an Oscar.concept and The Dark Knight RisesThe award was presented to the director.
“Movie magic is created by magicians, and this evening I have the honor of being in the company of the greatest magicians of the seven arts,” the actress said. She also paid tribute to Thomas for allowing Nolan to work in complete creative freedom.
Nolan has a strong following in France. first It sold 5 million tickets there, grossing nearly $40 million, while Dunkirk earned about $20 million at the box office.
The Oscar-winning director said the country holds a special place in his heart because it was one of the first countries to screen his first film and produce his second, Memento.
“No one in the world wanted to show it except Philip. UGC's Hellmann decided to do this at Grand Rex, and the success I gained there changed my life. Since then, I have expressed great gratitude to the French audience and distributors.”
He spoke with awe of the care taken by the Grand Rex cinema in Paris to bring in a projector from Normandy to provide a 70mm presentation of Interstellar and to provide seating to accommodate it.
“When I asked how long it would take to screen it in that format, they said it was just for the premiere.” He added that the cinema has also prepared 70mm screenings. Oppenheimer.”
“When I tell this story in Hollywood to shame them and instill this respect, they don’t believe me,” he said.