Christopher Nolan talks about his Oscar wins for ‘Best Directing’ and ‘Best Picture’ for ‘Oppenheimer’

Christopher Nolan poses backstage with the Oscars for ‘Directing’ and ‘Best Picture’ during the live ABC telecast of the 96th Oscars. Photo Credit: Michael Baker, A.M.P.A.S.

Christopher Nolan, CBE, chatted about his Oscar wins for “Best Directing’ and “Best Picture”‘ for “Oppenheimer” at the Press Room.

The 96th Oscars, hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, were held on Sunday, March 10, 2024, at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, and they were televised live on ABC and in more than 200 territories worldwide.

‘Oppenheimer’ — The most awarded film at the 2024 Academy Awards

His movie took home seven Academy Awards, which was the most of any film this year.

Aside from “Best Directing” and “Best Picture,” “Oppenheimer” scored additional wins for “Best Actor” for Cillian Murphy, “Best Supporting Actor” for Robert Downey Jr., “Best Cinematography” for Hoyte van Hoytema, “Best Film Editing” for Jennifer Lame, and “Best Original Score” for Ludwig Goransson.

Synopsis of ‘Oppenheimer’

Written and directed by director and filmmaker Christopher Nolan, “Oppenheimer” is an IMAX-shot biographical thriller that thrusts audiences into the pulse-pounding paradox of the enigmatic man who must risk destroying the world in order to save it.

Mr. Nolan spoke to members of the media in Press Room following his double Oscar wins.

Nolan on seeing ‘Oppenheimer’ embraced by audiences and industry peers

On seeing “Oppenheimer” get embraced by both audiences  and his industry peers at the highest possible level, Nolan remarked, “It is just the most incredible thrill.” 

“When you make a film on a large scale, obviously, you have to believe there are some audience for it out there,” he said. 

“Starting with the release of the film in July, the response from people around the world far exceeded anything that I imagined possible, and, you know, winning this recognition from my peers,  is just the icing on the cake,” he acknowledged.

“It’s just very important to me. It’s really a wonderful finish to what has been an incredible year,” he added.

Nolan on winning two Academy Awards at the 2024 ceremony

On holding two Oscar trophies (one in each hand), Nolan jokingly laughed, “This means I can do curls. They’re very heavy.”

“It is such a thrill,” Nolan admitted. “I mean, to be recognized as a director by my peers, the nomination itself from the directing bunch of the Academy is very special to me as was winning the Directors Guild Awards,” he said. 

“For the film to win ‘Best Picture’ is just a testament to so many different people who were involved in the film, our incredible cast and our incredible crew. So that’s really an unbelievable thrill,” he expressed.

“Oppenheimer” is available for streaming exclusively on the streaming service Peacock.

Please Note: This journalist was credentialed for the 2024 Academy Awards and participated in the Press Room interviews with the 2024 Oscar winners.