The name of Robert Oppenheimer (1904-1967) is less known than his invention. The creator of the atomic bomb, responsible for the Manhattan Project, fascinated Christopher Nolan to the point that he devoted a long film to him of more than three hours. Cillian Murphy (Peaky Blinders) holds the title role ofOppenheimer surrounded by stars like Emily Blunt, Florence Pugh, Matt Damon and Robert Downey Jr.
“I was interested in Oppenheimer for a while, explains the director to 20 minutes. When I found the book American Prometheus (published in France at Cherche Midi), I realized that this was one of the most dramatic, fascinating and exciting stories I have ever unearthed. »
among scientists
Christopher Nolan chooses to bring the creative process to life by diving into the head of the scientist, a brilliant man who does not immediately understand what his invention entails. “It’s a subject that is interesting to deal with these days because it is easy to find links with current events, particularly in the relationship between Oppenheimer and the American government”, insists the filmmaker. The war in Ukraine broke out during filming making the subject matter of the film even more concerning. We share the concerns, the joys, the doubts and the remorse of the scientist overwhelmed by a creation that still threatens us today.
The immersion is total while we follow the progress of the researchers to obtain a result of which, unlike them, the spectator knows the dangers. “I filmed certain scenes in Imax because this process makes it possible to make the edges of the screen disappear, specifies Christopher Nolan. I called it ‘3D without glasses’ because it immerses the audience in the heart of the action. »
The magic of cinema
The film’s most striking sequence is when Robert Oppenheimer and his team test the bomb for the first time. “We knew it had to be the highlight of the film,” insists Christopher Nolan. He escalates the tension by detailing every aspect of the proceedings right up to the explosion. More linear than other works by the director, Oppenheimer proves to be more accessible by making live with a formidable genius as if we were in his brain. “It’s the magic of cinema”, concludes Christopher Nolan who knows a lot about this subject.