Christopher Nolan on "Following" - Conversations Inside The Criterion Collection

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Always interested in crime and justice, Christopher Nolan’s first film (a whole seven years before he made Batman Begins) is a curious black and white head-scratcher about a writer who, obsessed with following people, subsequently gets caught up in a life of crime.
In this interview, Nolan explains his key to success and ends up revealing many of the DIY filmmaking techniques he used to make Following.
More on 'Following' here: www.criterion.com/films/28030-...
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[@ItsWilheim]

I dunno about anyone else here, but this is one of the most inspiring films to an aspiring filmmaker/filmmaker starting out.

[@ruly8153]

The guy movies worth millions You’re not special just cause you aspire to be like him

[@chili24137]

Yep, this and primer.

[@MrJamesC]

@@ruly8153 He didn't say that

[@monkey363]

Ruly manatee how dare someone be inspired by a work of art

[@kali6651]

@@ruly8153 Damn. You're kind of a fucking dickhead, you know that?

[@ImNotThere93]

Mr. Nolan changed how I view film. My all time favorite director.

[@KurumbuPoonai]

Frank Perez me too friend

[@bodge360]

I feel like he would be a brilliant therapist, just listening to his calm voice explain his directing really mellowed me out

[@gothamknight2201]

17:31 Nolan talks about Sound and how important it is 23:31 I need to learn this. I gotta stop thinking about imaginary future projects when i haven't even thought about how I'm realistically going to make my first feature film.

[@gabevillarrealedits]

Gotham Knight did you happen to make that feature yet?

[@pranavshrivastava6415]

did you make your first feature yet?

[@garruksson]

My personal favorite director! The prestige is my favorite movie of all time

[@edinchez]

Same here!

[@toorawsteven]

total mind fuck

[@garruksson]

edinchez awesome :D

[@alasdairboswell4654]

Not my favorite but a great film nevertheless

[@qarcon3247]

mines too. loved interstellar

[@OOUGGE]

Memento is a masterpeice

[@liampredmore9375]

My favorite movie of all time, absolutely amazing

[@SamirPatnaik]

i guess a movie has not been that way before.. Mindblown

[@nutmaster652]

OOUGGE one of the most ingenious films i've ever seen, i don't know where him and his brother come up with the concepts for his movies

[@moviemanwill]

Following is, no joke, one of his best films.

[@jeffreyferreira3811]

Dark Knight Rises, and I would argue Interstellar

[@fluteisland]

The Prestige

[@omerresnikoff3565]

@Gunnar Thorstenson better than inception (I actually believe that), dunkirk, insomnia, all batman films except the dark knight and interstellar (ok, a good movie for the special effects and scientific achievements, but, coming from a mathematician, the overall story is just... ok)

[@Angyali]

It was close to be a good film, but the main characters choices felt too naive and clumsy to me.

[@SaurianStudios1207]

Inception, The Dark Knight and Memento are his 3 masterpieces, the rest are really good but not masterpieces.

[@JackHoward]

Incredibly interesting.

[@oscar_jacques]

You following Ryan Connolly's feed? That's where I saw it.

[@MartinHayfield]

look at you now, you interviewed this interesting man yourself

[@nikidon99]

Okay Jack we get it you love him and got to interview him 😂😂

[@uchihagaeshi1169]

@@nikidon99 But he hadn't in the past.

[@ZthaIncredible]

Nolan is not the greatest director of all time, but his film record is speaks for itself. The man has never made a bad film, in fact I would argue that all his films are worth seeing given how short life is.

[@LaneCarter]

Fantastic! It's great to hear such a widely renowned director talking about how he covers things up with editing. Such an honest interview. He doesn't seem pretentious at all.

[@aini9528]

Can u elaborate a bit? My english is not so good..

[@LaneCarter]

Verkkariritari I just meant that Chris seemed pretty humble about the whole filmmaking processs. It's encouraging for an aspiring filmmaker like me because it lets me know that I don't have to be a mega genius to make films.

[@RobotHau5]

@@LaneCarter Well he also added that he wasn't formally trained, which may have been to his benefit. You're right tho! This also made me feel comfortable with the little I have, and I think that's his overall message with this. Do the best with what you've got, but continue to learn what could make it better without breaking your back (budget).

[@kickdogseal]

Following is THE movie that aspiring filmmakers should watch on repeat.

[@alphacause]

Its always a treat to hear an individual, who is so highly regarded for the art he produces, to speak about the details of his craft. Thank you for this.

[@MelanieAnneAhern]

Such a brilliant, humble man. He doesn't look down on budget filmmakers, but truly just appreciates a story well told. That's what it's all about. I bet if you gave a lot of people twice the budget of what he spent on this film, they wouldn't come out with a product half as good.

[@auggiecontreras8068]

I'm 45. I was once fascinated enough by a guitar, that I practiced playing it for 2 or 3 months. Once I tried to learn Spanish, that lasted 2 or 3 months. Dido for painting and gardening. It absolutely blows my mind how people can get obsessed with something like film making (or art, or music, or programming) and it literally lasts their entire lives. Very fascinating breakdown of Christopher Nolan ❤

[@dindinmooshi1356]

really love his style and thinking.

[@chiztrix]

Amazing director. All his movies have been great so far and I'm sure Interstellar won't disappoint.

[@sudhanshusingh9218]

its masterpiece

[@arnoldrivas4590]

I've found a copy of this film and watched it. Very well done. And was also surprised this was his first feature film before Memento which I also loved. Add to the fact Nolan never went to film school? Wow. Perhaps after Interstellar which I have yet to see he might go back to the small film format just to get a breather from the big blockbusters before making another one. But who knows. Nolan clearly knows what films he wants to film and what stories to tell. More power to him.

[@wildcard749]

He also writes or cowrites the screenplays

[@jayv8068]

+Arnold Rivas filmschool is not important at all

[@arnoldrivas4590]

Jayden V then what use does it have?

[@jayv8068]

Arnold Rivas wasting your money

[@arnoldrivas4590]

+wildcard749 And that is also a plus for me.

[@BlondeManNoName]

A cunning man, got to give him credit for that. Not really a director, more like... a *magician*. _"The magician takes the ordinary something and makes it do something extraordinary. Now you're looking for the secret... but you won't find it, because of course you're not really looking. You don't really want to know. You want to be fooled. But you wouldn't clap yet. Because making something disappear isn't enough; you have to bring it back. That's why every magic trick has a third act, the hardest part, the part we call "The Prestige"._

[@arnabdas7019]

His own words are best suited to describe him.

[@rokaanalzeer]

I call him the goat.

[@asdwaetd]

no other directors can do sequels lije christopher nolan, nolan did batman begins, and then did a masterful piece The Prestige, then he went back and did the dark knight, then he did inception, then went back and did TDK rises. no other director can do that, i mean even james cameron is shooting avatar back to back, nolan created one of the best trilogy and in between also produced two masterpieces of cenima the prestige and inception, he is the most versatile director right now

[@RobotHau5]

It's interesting that he made The Prestige after Batman Begins. "Theatricality & Deception" was taught to Batman in the first film, and it was a theme in The Prestige. Later Bane makes reference to it in the TDKR.

[@infamousroy4421]

He is basically Albert Einstein of film making. He didn't learnt film making, filmatography embraced him be a medium to broadcast it's eloquent beauty.

[@orr971]

Such an amazing person. You can see how he understand and knows everything about every aspect of what he does. So brilliant and pleasant and polite and humble. Chris Nolan is the best director in the world. Climbed his way from a low budget film to enormous films.

[@elderofzion]

dunkirk gonna be great

[@HenOutOfHen]

i feel smarter just listening to him talk

[@HenOutOfHen]

Oves Du exactly, that’s why I said it...Sooo... what are you pointing out?

[@bruh_rick]

Felt like I just had a film class after viewing this interview learned so much

[@moeezS]

"Cutting in your head while you shoot" This is fascinating, thanks!

[@omarcorrea]

Wow he's never been to film school? That's crazy.

[@Warlicmaster]

You know what's crazy? People paying money for educations when all information is avaliable in your local public library.

[@kolajampe]

Warlicmaster Public library??!! you not heard of youtube?!

[@digitalintent]

Warlicmaster I think it depends on what subjects you are trying to learn, and how fast. Also, where you want to work plays a major role. A creative field (Art, Design, Music, even Programming) requires a portfolio, so a degree is not as important. I could probably learn as much about medicine as my primary physician, but without those letters next to my name, I wouldn't be making the money. I'm currently teaching myself Industrial Design. It would be nice to have a teacher with years of experience show me my mistakes within 2 minutes instead of spending hours, or even days, figuring out what I did wrong.

[@bluntedspear5772]

whats crazy is art for profit by commitee.

[@kolajampe]

***** We are lucky that it didnt, he probably would have been too distracted to make movies!

[@benparsons8161]

15:53 The clock he sets on the table in "Following" is the same clock that is burned in "Memento". Also, notice that Cobb, one of the characters from "Following" shares the same name and similar characteristics (criminal, manipulative) as DiCaprio's character in "Inception".

[@Paperbagman555]

Vice, this was a fantastic video/conversation. You've done tremendous work this time, I hope to see more of these director videos in future.

[@naechancelad]

I love interviews like this where they edit out the interviewers questions and allow the interviewee to really expand. Allows you to hear their authentic views in a relaxed way rather than being driven by an interviewers scripted narrative.

[@brorush1]

my favourite modern day director. also the way he talks about actually being present behind the lens of what he's filming a good film for me any how normally involves a psychological element of feeling like you're prying into someones life from a real medium like a camera and not just having very well set up shots that just explains the story ore cinematic objective. almost like a ghost was secretly watching them and that they carry on with there life oblivious to the camera not acting up to it just being in front of it as there life unfolds and i think someone who has the understanding from the simple end of the spectrum can then use more common ore professional camera techniques to emphasise certain parts of a film without it feeling like you're just watching a movie if you get my drift not a story made into a film but a story that happens to be filmed as if it would happen with ore without a medium to portray it i.e film.

[@BruceWayne-pm6co]

He's a living legend.

[@michaelodonnell6949]

Holy shit, thank you VICE for this. We need more of these one to ones with directors. Was absolutely gutted that Robert Rodriguez's El Rey network isn't making the video interviews with Guillermo Del Toro, John Carpenter and Quentin Tarantino, available in any form. Fortunately my other idol Chris Nolan decided to talk to VICE :)

[@Corndog4382]

Now this is the vice we know and love, this was great. Thank you.

[@lemonorange355]

I believe Memento is his greatest achievement. Can't wait for Interstellar!

[@pharshalsirsat1513]

Its 2020 man !!

[@thewalterandryanshow]

Can’t wait for tenet Fuck corona

[@taz1545]

Lol Tenet makes memento look like a Party clown

[@RobotHau5]

​@@taz1545 Honestly I loved Tenet but Momento, for me, was in a league of its own. Tenet is a major leap in terms of its concept (which I absolutely love btw), but Momento is so simple yet contains a similar (and relatable) complexity that makes it such an amazing Master Piece.

[@WarriorsPhoto]

Amazing hearing him talk about how he started.

[@MarioUcomics]

HOLY COW!!! Nolan gave Clerks a mention. I hope kevin Smith hears this

[@bennygaray46]

One of the best directors I have ever know

[@cavejelly]

Very informative. Working on anything creative with this guy must be incredible joy and immensely frustrating. Sign me up.

[@kasperrds6968]

If you ask me, then the best directors we've seen, have never gone to filmschool: Nolan, Tarantino, James Cameron, George Miller, Stanley Kubrick there are far more, but this is just a few names. In fact many of those who did actually go to filmschool ended up dropping out of filmschool again. I think there seems to be a profound explanation that filmschools are too stricks and therefore eliminating the directors creative minds, while also not challeging them enough. I've seen 100 of horendous short films from filmschool students here in Denmark where I live and the worst thing about them is that they all look the same! Social realism dramas with no edge or desire to wauw the audience or be different, to stand out from the crowd. It's no wonder Denmark haven't produced a great director since Nicolas Winding Refn, who by the way, also never went to filmschool, he was enlisted at the Danish filmschool, but decided to try making a movie (Pusher) on his own. I don't know, but for some places, filmschool might be a disadvantage more than an advantage. At least my favorite directors didn't go to filmschool, so that's what I'll take from it - Learning by doing and don't watch never danish movies, cause they'll will bring your creativeness down as opposed to older ones who had stories to tell and desire to entertain. How's filmschool in the countries where the rest of you guys who watches and comments on this video lives??

[@KevinVDoan]

+K XKX its still the same in the U.S. all the film schools make their students learn things in a certain way, therefore constricting their creative process. Complete rubbish, i'm currently enrolled in school for Digital Media but not film for that reason and make films on my own

[@ImMatrixor]

+Vinny Banana Wow, you seem to love yourself quite a bit hahaha I think one of the most advantageous things about film school is being able to meet SO many people interested in film as you are. because after all, you can't make a film without an army. I do hope you have a chance to make your screenplay into a reality but I seriously hope you won't regard your crew as sheep. Know matter what, you absolutely can not make a film by yourself.

[@jesuislepluscool]

+K XKX Well said.

[@lisazoria2709]

Film school in Los Angeles is interesting. You never know what someone will come up with. Some people are complete amateurs and only want an "easy A" so they produce really cringe worthy crap, and others are semiprofessionals who have actual experience and budget. This one guy made a sci-fi time travel film for his final and he rented a 10,000 dollar camera (not counting cost of lenses, etc.) and had his actor friend from a popular T.V. show star in it. Our professor was quite impressed and insisted he send it out to some film festivals. But generally the student films here aren't quite that fancy, some are, but it's a mixed bag. Some have a budget, but most don't. It's true, I don't think film school is necessary though, the important thing is the passion and desire to learn and improve.

[@dannyscazares9354]

At some point YES Film School does constrain you to do things the way the teachers think it should be the best way to be done acording to them. But also we're talking about art, your growth depends only on you. In my case I didn't know anywone in film industry, I knew nothing about filmmaking at all, I was all alone, so I can tell you I really needed the Film School, the personal guidance to start making my way, I've known many people, and I've learn the basics, film theory, film history, semiotic studies, literature, I have watched a lot of movies, learned rules of filmmaking, rules, I believe: knowing the rules in order to break them. All this knowledge is knowledge you won't get in the outside but inside the academy, and as I said I knew no one, and in time you can put aside your teachers, and you will continue your journey on your own (that's the idea), out of the "three or four years of constrain" -if you will-. And let your creativity explode to the world, remember that there are some pretty good filmmakers who went to Film School: Steven Spielberg, Martin Scrocese, Francis Ford Coppola, George Lucas,... and so on. Not going to Film School won't make you an automatic great filmmaker, but also going to it won't make you an automatic failure.

[@aguilaf123]

This was very inspiring. Really hope vice does this with other directors

[@abhikoolblue]

I could listen him all day talking about film making. Greatest director of modern cinema.

[@adr1ano1987]

That would be Tarantino actually

[@abhikoolblue]

@@adr1ano1987 ok

[@target-tk6vb]

​@@adr1ano1987 🤣🤣🤣 his new movie the hollywood one was a sleeper fest, nolan movies rarely have any cursing he made movies in wide genres like biography, war, sci-fi, superhero, fantasy and most of the tarantino films are just dialogue heavy dramas

[@TheAFGFilms]

Just saw following today! I really liked it! Christopher definitely develops his narrative and technical skills on this movie and it's truly inspiring for those who want to make a microbudget feature.

[@ars731]

I love hearing directors talk about movie making especially one that loves movies as much as Christopher Nolan

[@CSGDuncan11]

That was a really interesting interview, thank you!

[@MadPropzBaller]

Might just be the greatest director of all time.

[@quayquayKris]

nah, martin scorsese is

[@Teletubees1]

quay quayy I admire Martin Scorsese's work but he's much older than Nolan. Chris is still on the eve of his greatest projects. Give him a few decades and I'm sure he'll make some amazing movies worthy of comparison to Scorsese's.

[@NightcoreTKFF]

*cough* Tarantino *cough* Reservoir Dogs *cough* Pulp Fiction *cough*

[@MadPropzBaller]

***** Django Unchained was better than both of the movies you mentioned.

[@NightcoreTKFF]

MadPropzBaller Depends. Pulp Fiction and Reservoir Dogs is crime drama, while Django Unchained is Western. Anyways all his movies are amazing.Inglorious Basterds and bot Kill Bill movies are worth mentioning too.

[@abhigiga]

He is one of the greatest filmakers...unquestionably. ..

[@trippin916]

I love the fact that he seems like he could talk about anything forever...

[@guysimchony309]

So many great insights here. A director who has become one of the most successful and acclaimed of our age shedding light on his humble beginnings. Nolanites FTW!

[@johnta17]

This is excellent and insightful. Thank you.

[@Rebassed]

THIS GUY IS A LEGEND

[@sujayghose3662]

Very informative..outlays the whole journey..that we all face..

[@willwalters8391]

this is one of the most valuable videos I have ever watched.

[@toorawsteven]

all his movies are so freakin good!!

[@munkyrabbi]

This was awesome. Please do more stuff like this.

[@mahound9]

I love "Following" I found a copy on VHS in a secondhand store, years ago. It's up there with Mike Leigh's "Naked" as simple, brutal, elegant films. It comes together in pieces, a foreshadowing of "Memento" years later.

[@rabindrasasmal7445]

thank you VICE for this beautiful learning experience

[@madphantom92]

Thank you vice for this interview.

[@ufozencom]

I saw this film, "Following" around 2001 I think it was. It blew me away...

[@Jake-kn3xg]

It does doesn't it? for a debut feature too. You can see how psychology and existentialism play hard in his overall style.

[@duckywinks]

As someone writing the script to my own no-budget film, this was really helpful.

[@giovannablasi5561]

He's such a creative and qualified director, personally one of my favourite. And damn, his voice, I'd listen to him for hours.

[@CharlieKnottFilms]

In cinematography, looking into the viewfinder, adjusting the diopter and such is exactly like drawing in the way a cinematographer sees light and 3D space, formalizes it and makes a stylistic decision on composition and value (exposure).

[@JVKINGersgamertag]

Great video, great guy and great series - thank you Vice

[@souljacem]

He‘s such a nice man. Very humble and passionate about the artform.

[@nicolaselhani]

amazing interview

[@glenjimen1234]

Brilliant interview

[@AndrewGayner]

Excellent video!

[@wolfstar675]

Not my favorite director but he is a filmmaker that really makes you think that Cinema is still as powerful as ever there are other as well but the list is long PTA, Tarantino, Scorsese, Xavier Dolan, Michael Haneke, Linklater, Jonathan Glazer, Steve McQueen i could go on with others.

[@ShinbrigTV]

Love every single movie he puts out!!! YES, even "The Dark Knight Rises", man why do people have to hate on that movie soo much. Saying it's a horrible film when they haven't even seen other comic book movies such as "Daredevil", "Catwoman", or must I say it "Steel".

[@TheEinstienian]

The people that are saying "The Dark Knight Rises sucks" are from the internet. They're the minority when it comes outside the internet.

[@notablytheillest]

LOL. wasn’t Shaq in Steel?? that shiz was hilarious. but ya i agree with your point.

[@MadPropzBaller]

TDKR was the best, i watched it 12 times just because of Bane, so epic :P

[@Xenophlanes]

MadPropzBaller Oh man, i loved all the Batmans! Nolan smashed, it just gave you this feel for the characters! it was perfect!

[@TKoMEaP]

It was my least favorite from the trilogy, but it was still a great film. I guess after Inception and The Dark Night I was expecting the world. I blame myself for over hyping it, I don't think anything could have met my expectations. But still, a great film.

[@grahamoliver1470]

I just find it funny that this interview is almost half the movie's length

[@zachmorley158]

It’s actually a really engaging film despite it’s low budget quality. Extremely rare among low budget indie films

[@Filix125]

Respect to you sir!

[@robair9911]

he's a big guy, for you. Bravo Nolan. With that out of the way Following is probably one of my top twenty favorite movies

[@RemyIssa]

Describing interstellar the movie in one word: brilliant!

[@omarkayal5336]

Great practical filmmaking advice from a master

[@truefilm1556]

Great and very insightful! O.K.: what I thought: C. Nolan used a 16mm wind up Bolex for a lot of outdoor location shots. On IMDB it just states: Arriflex 16 BL - fantastic camera to this day, seen it in action for TV news gathering back in the day. That model is already a bit large and heavy for some of the scenes, not to mention still very expensive to buy or rent in top working condition (back in the late 1990s it still was prohibitively expensive), even though it's a (professional) model from 1968. Great insight about editing, lens choice, camera movement and the general approach to (budget) film making. I'm very happy that Nolan always supported and continues to support real film, but with common sense - not shying away from editing on video after telecine transfer. Not that I think film is always "better" than modern digital cinema (or DSLR) for cinematic story telling. I just happen to prefer it, but I fully respect people who prefer digital. I simply think people should have a choice - film and digital video are still very different in look, feel and approach. Thanks for uploading! Always loved Nolan's work - after this great video I have it 100% confirmed that Nolan is a true master film maker who earned it by building his career from the ground up.

[@izabelribeiro1665]

excellent video!

[@MrFox1289]

Great more stuff like this!!

[@zankfilms2898]

Vice making a valuable and interesting video? Wow

[@GREENLIGHTFILMMAKING]

I love the criterion collection!

[@raizanong]

Look at Nolan man, so inspirational.

[@SKID-eo1lb]

I love this interview

[@AndrewPRoberts]

1:31 Messin with our minds since 1997

[@invisibleother7886]

GIVE ME INTERSTELLAR ALL-FREAKEDUP-READY!

[@popit198]

i have seen plenty of movies, different directors, Kubrick, Nolan, Spielberg, Ridley Scott, Lucas, Copolla, Tarantino, Coen, Scorsese but i have to say that this is the best film that i have ever seen. its a piece of art.

[@KS-ce2du]

3:25 first time to see him smile

[@louiso.4325]

Almost all of my favorite directors have made amazing directorial debuts (Bottle Rocket, Shaun of the Dead, Take the Money and Run, Monty Python and the Holy Grail) except Kubrick strangely enough

[@louiso.4325]

+Connor Devore Shaun of the dead yah I was wrong, but what's up tiger lily was just woody overdubbing voices so I don't really count it as his first

[@chaeyoungvideos5742]

Bless us all in our filmmaking journey!

[@TheRubberStudiosASMR]

This was really cool.

[@Franciscavdalmeida]

Can somebody please explain to me the imax/camera/sound problem that he used in following and continued using even in the Dark Knight? How does it work again? I do not seem to get it... :/ Thank you!

[@ROBLOXowns]

Francisca V.Almeida It seems the in-camera sound was bad, so he had to record it again in controlled circumstances without filming, just dialogue.

[@Franciscavdalmeida]

Thank you!

[@wreck2]

+Francisca V.Almeida The Following and Dark Knight had different reasons, but the Dark Knight could not record sound while they where shooting the scene, as IMAX cameras are so loud while they are rolling, that the mics would pick up the sound of the film thrashing through the camera. You do ADR recording (dubbing) to put the dialog back. This is why IMAX camera are mostly only used on big action scenes, and not quiet dialog scenes.

[@dirtysouth1984]

We here!!!

[@korakiangen9039]

I'm undergone a cinematic therapy treatment for my cinematic --illness !!! through this session!!!

[@93JJV]

Following is such a great movie, 95% of people dont even now this is his first movie

[@notablytheillest]

if he started filming at age 7, i really doubt it was his first...

[@MrMadalien]

notablytheillest Nice.anal-retentiveness.

[@93JJV]

notablytheillest oooookkkk ??

[@1979ot]

ToqalalwpAl

[@ShinbrigTV]

I know about it, but I have yet to watch it.

[@Ravikanth_007]

This man is genius. Thans for the upload.

[@justicewillprevail1106]

He’s by far my favorite director of all times.

[@MarkArandjus]

Nolan makes really good films. He would make great films if the scripts had another pass before production began, because too often the plot becomes Swiss cheese once you start examining the finer details. But oh well you get what you want out of his films and his approach to special effects is one of the best today.

[@AndreasRietz]

thanks a lot, interesting 👍

[@Unmoved12345]

Highly articulate guy.

[@kelman727]

Unmoved12345 Yes, he’s English.

[@Forestgravy90]

I'd love it if Following was remade with a larger budget, it's a great little script

[@HShango]

he is one of my fav british directors

[@drumpounder778]

I love Memento.