British Royal Award for Oppenheimer director Christopher Nolan

NOS News•today, 02:21

British-American film director Christopher Nolan and his wife and producer Emma Thomas will receive British royal honors later this year for their contributions to the film industry.

The British government yesterday published a list of names that also included the two. Nolan wrote and directed the highly successful film Oppenheimer (2023) on the development of the atomic bomb. His wife is one of the producers. The film has so far grossed almost 900 million euros worldwide. The film won a host of awards, including seven Oscars, seven BAFTAs, five Golden Globes and three Screen Actors Guild Awards.

The 53-year-old Nolan broke through to the general public with the film Memento (2000), about a man with amnesia who uses photos and notes to find out who killed his wife. Since 2005 he has focused on blockbusters such as a number of Batman films and Inception, but he kept his unique visual and narrative style. He wrote the screenplay for most of his films himself.

Nolan and Thomas met while studying in London. The 52-year-old Thomas was a producer on almost every Nolan film. They jointly own the production company Syncopy. According to Nolan, he never feels lonely when he makes films because Thomas “finds the medium as important as I do.”

Typically, new British royal honors are announced only twice a year: at the end of the year and on the King’s birthday (November 14). But exceptions are sometimes made for special achievements – especially in sports and the arts. Nolan receives the title Knight Bachelor, the oldest knight title. Thomas is given the title Dame Commander.

In addition to the filmmakers, Prime Minister Sunak’s list includes billionaire Mohamed Mansour, who donates money to Sunak’s party. American businessman and Netflix boss Ted Sarandos also receives an award.