Fifi O’Reilly
Reporter
Dec. 6, 2024, is an exciting day for Christopher Nolan as the director has agreed to re-
release his sci-fi epic “Interstellar” in 70mm IMAX format to celebrate its 10th anniversary.
“Interstellar” focuses on the familial bonds between a single man named Cooper and his
children -- primarily his daughter, Murphy. Space-time is bent, trust is tested, and love prevails in
many a heartbreaking scene throughout this film.
While Christopher Nolan is known for his genre-bending work, “Interstellar” was a
larger-than-life film that reinterpreted the science fiction genre and changed the film world’s
relationship with the genre forever.
Poster courtesy of IMAX
The emotional core of the film separates it from the rest of sci-fi staples and has etched
Nolan in as an important filmmaker of the genre.
Dr. Barry Smith, the department chair of Mississippi University for Women’s
Communication department, believes the heart of “Interstellar” lies in the film’s emotional
bonds. Smith offers a special topic film studies summer course studying sci-fi films through the
decades, and “Interstellar” stands out.
“’Interstellar’ is in a line of science fiction films that mix high-end sci-fi with an
emotional core that differentiates it from a lot of other science fiction,” Smith said.
Other science fiction films can be harsh, bleak and apocalyptic. However, Nolan strikes a
balance of keeping key sci-fi elements mixed into a story full of heart and soul.
No matter how bad things get on Earth, where Murphy is, and in space, where Cooper is,
there is always emotion. The viewer can see how clear and strong Murphy and Cooper’s bond is,
despite the heart-wrenching things that are happening.
“Interstellar’s” popularity is mostly attributed to its emotional elements, but also the
accuracy that Christopher Nolan strives for in this film and in all his films. Accuracy and
attention to detail are two attributes of the director and it shows in his work.
Another director who was “notorious” for these kinds of characteristics was Stanley
Kubrick. For example, in his film “2001: A Space Odyssey,” the spaceships do not make a sound
while in space – same for Nolan in “Interstellar.”
Graphic made by Spectator staff
Simple scientific touches these directors both added to their films create the atmosphere
of another world waiting to be explored.
Both movies bring an emotional element and scientific accuracy in this case that very few
directors have been able to achieve. This is what makes their contributions to cinema so valuable
and vital.
If you are interested in seeing “Interstellar” in Nolan’s intended format (70 mm IMAX
film), locate your nearest IMAX theater to check for availability.