Damien Chazelle Praises ‘Dunkirk’: "It’s Cinema As Music"

On paper, “Dunkirk” probably shouldn’t have been a massive success. It’s a war film about a battle that, at least in the United States, not many people heard about. It’s a film that is epic, without being three hours long, and doesn’t have any huge name stars that these sorts of films always have. Yet, “Dunkirk” is one of the biggest films of the year, and sure to draw major attention during awards season. Why? Because of one name – Christopher Nolan.

Director Damien Chazelle, who knows a thing or two about good films, recognizes the achievement of “Dunkirk” and talks about it as part of Variety’sDirectors on Directors” feature. In the feature, Chazelle writes about his love of the Christopher Nolan war film, specifically why it stands as Nolan’s best film to date.

“What Christopher Nolan achieves in ‘Dunkirk’ feels like something he has been building toward his whole career. It’s cinema as music — a continuous, breathless flow of images and sound that feels elemental and primal. For such a giant motion picture, depicting such an epic event, it is simplicity itself,” says Chazelle.

READ MORE: Christopher Nolan Talks “Visceral Experience Of Cinema” In FilmLinc Podcast Talk

Also, Chazelle compliments the risk inherent in making “Dunkirk,” likening the film to a “giant middle finger” to those doubting that risks are possible anymore on the big screen. But ultimately, it all comes down to Chazelle’s appreciation of Nolan’s ability to make even the most fantastic story somehow personal.

“More than that, it feels like Christopher Nolan. This is a filmmaker who has managed, time and again, to make the most seemingly impersonal projects — superhero epics, deep-space mind-benders — feel deeply personal. ‘Dunkirk’ is, to me, his most personal — and most moving — work yet,” concludes the director.

No matter what critics say about the film, “Dunkirk” is clearly a passion project for Nolan. It’s also an important step for Nolan, as a director. Not since perhaps James Cameron or Steven Spielberg has a director been the selling point on a film, and “Dunkirk” shows that Nolan is right there with those legends. He doesn’t need Batman or Matthew McConaughey to get butts in seats. Chazelle and millions of film-goers around the world see that, and can’t wait for what’s next.