Christopher Nolan is one of our few auteur filmmakers that gets to work on a massive scale. His films, regardless of their individual levels of quality, are always momentous occasions. The same can be said for his upcoming film, Dunkirk. The first teaser for the film has finally landed – most likely, it will show up on copies of Suicide Squad – and you can take a look at it for yourself.
Dunkirk is based on the World War II story about the evacuation of 330,000 Allied troops after an intense battle in the titular French city. This teaser showcases Nolan’s penchant for chilling imagery; the bodies lying in the sand is a striking piece of cinema. And the climactic shot of all the soldiers looking up and realizing something is coming to attack is powerful stuff.
It will be interesting to see Nolan apply his meticulous approach to actual historical events. While he has utilized the past before in The Prestige, this is his first attempt at representing history in a more grounded way. Considering that fans loved his gritty approach to Batman, it will be fascinating to see if the same fanbase will respond as positively to a story based in reality.
A big question will come with the film’s violence. Is this going to be Nolan’s Saving Private Ryan? Nolan has been making PG-13 films ever since Batman Begins. Will Dunkirk accurately portray the grisly horror of war? If anyone has the clout to pull off such a feat, it’s Christopher Nolan.
All told, it is fantastic that Nolan has the kind of clout to make large-scale films that don’t depend on established properties. Adult blockbusters are becoming rarer as international markets dictate what films get made for $100+ million. The fact that Nolan’s name can make a World War II drama an event film is good for everyone.
Dunkirk releases on July 21, 2017. This is actually going to be a summer movie. That’s pretty astounding.
