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One of the most successful directors of the year just gave Taylor Swift some major kudos for bypassing studios to bring her new Eras Tourfilm to theaters herself.
In a recent discussion with Kai Bird on Oct. 11 in conjunction with the Leon Levy Center for Biography, Christopher Nolan joined his wife Emma Thomas for a conversation about his film Oppenheimer, specifically about "the challenges of turning complicated history into film."
The conversation eventually turned to the fate of theaters, and Thomas noted that many of the struggles can be attributed to studios releasing films to streaming services.
That's when Nolan stepped in and commented on Swift's strategic release.
He noted:
"Taylor Swift is about to show the studios."
"Her concert film is not being distributed by the studios. It's being distributed by the theater owner, AMC, and it's going to make an enormous amount of money."
He added:
"This is the thing. [The theater] is a format. This is a way of seeing things and sharing stories or sharing experiences that's incredibly valuable."
You can watch the segment below.
Oppenheimer From Biography to Blockbusteryoutu.be
People on social media agreed with Nolan's take on the film's success, and many commended him for acknowledging Swift's accomplishment.
@DiscussingFilm That\u2019s a big deal when Christopher Nolan praises your project.— aroflip (@aroflip) 1697732510
@DiscussingFilm he knows a fellow legend when he sees one— Carter James (@Carter James) 1697732506
@DiscussingFilm Taylor changing the rules of the game.— WanHeda \ud83e\udd16 (@WanHeda \ud83e\udd16) 1697732609
Wasn't expecting him to say this but he isn't wrong— papaG (@papaG) 1697761197
@DiscussingFilm It's fantastic for something besides blockbusters to be playing in theaters and doing well. I'm excited by the possibility— dXehas (@dXehas) 1697732967
Others, however, argued that the success of the Eras Tour film can be contributed solely to the volume of the singer's fan base, and that other films hoping to achieve the same by bypassing studios will likely fall short.
@DiscussingFilm This would be a really great point if the film didn't star one of the biggest pop stars in the world and wasn't distributed by the biggest cinema chains in the United States.\n\nI think it was a very unique, different situation Mr. Nolan...— SpookyLiam\ud83d\udc7b (@SpookyLiam\ud83d\udc7b) 1697736085
@DiscussingFilm Just be super popular from music to be successful in movies— \u6211\u7231\u8fd0\u52a8 (@\u6211\u7231\u8fd0\u52a8) 1697732636
@DiscussingFilm Not everyone is Taylor Swift— Uday Kiran (@Uday Kiran) 1697746857
@DiscussingFilm But it happened because of Taylor stardom, if it's someone else they will have a tough time.— Naveen (@Naveen) 1697732781
Why he saying that as if she is an indie movie director and not the 3rd most famous singer alive— pheels! (baldi basic) (@pheels! (baldi basic)) 1697732865
Its a concert movie and its Taylor swift. Nolan doesnt understand the insanity of spending her fans fo for her. \n\n99% of this films BO i guarantee is from swifties and not an actual regular GA— \u2625Doctor Fate\u2625 (@\u2625Doctor Fate\u2625) 1697733737
Regardless, Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour film has only been in theaters since October 11 and is already the highest-grossing concert film in history.
And Christopher Nolan publicly praised her process.
We'd say that's something.