Watch CBS News

Christopher Nolan: Don't approach my films like a "crossword puzzle"

The award-winning filmmaker who directed the "Dark Knight" trilogy and "Inception" discusses his latest movie, "Interstellar"
Director Christopher Nolan on "Interstellar," inspiration and family 05:19

Award-winning filmmaker Christopher Nolan loves to take his fans on breathtaking and mind-bending adventures. While his most recent work "Interstellar" has been dissected by scientists and film critics alike, Nolan believes his films are best enjoyed if audiences view them simply for amusement.

"I encourage people to just cover the movies as an entertainment, as a ride," he said on "CBS This Morning." "People who approach it like it's a crossword puzzle, they get frustrated, so really for me, it's about saying, 'No, come and be entertained and come and go on this journey with these characters.'"

The film's co-producer would most likely agree. Nolan's wife, Emma Thompson, has been by his side since their early film school days at the University College London. Since their marriage in 1997, the power couple has produced films including "The Dark Knight Rises," "Inception" and "The Prestige."

"I do everything she says and never argue and we don't bring our work home with us," he said. "It's wonderful working with people who will completely tell you the truth. There is no agenda in the creative conversation and it's a very honest response. You need people around you who you have that sort of relationship."

While Thompson may be his rock, his strong relationship with movies began at a much younger age. He said it was the original 1977 release of "Star Wars" that sparked his curiosity and changed his life.

"It really, at that young age, captured my imagination and gave me a sense of the idea that movies can take you on a journey, they can create a set of worlds, a whole other universe that you can get lost in -- wonderful escapism," he said.

Another influential picture was "2001: A Space Odyssey." He recalled seeing the rereleased film with his father and described how the grandeur of the screen was imprinted on his mind.

"I've always remembered the size of the screen and the image and I think it's one of the reasons that I wanted to do IMAX films and do a big IMAX space movie," he said. "There's just something about that that stuck in my head as suggesting the biggest potential of movies"

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.