Bite Autumn 2012

bite film spotlight the storyline by taking the audience back to Bruce Wayne’s pre-crusading years. Actor Cillian Murphy played Batman’s first challenge in the series, as the Scarecrow who threatens Batman and Gotham City with a fear toxin.The second in the trilogy, The Dark Knight, delved deep into the anxieties of the post-9/11 world and saw the late Heath Ledger give an outstanding performance as the Joker, winning an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role. This year’s offering, The Dark Knight Rises introduces the characters of Selina Kyle/Catwoman played by Anne Hathaway and Bane played by Tom Hardy – two villains from the Batman mythology. The Prestige (2006) starring Christian Bale and Hugh Jackman tells the story of two rival illusionists who became enemies after a trick in late 19 th century London goes fatally wrong. Their efforts to outwit and damage each other last for years, allowing the film to cut back and forth between events in time. In 2010, Nolan released the sci-fi thought invoking and effective film Inception starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Ellen Page and Tom Hardy. The futuristic film examines the possibility of entering dreams to steal secrets. The plot centres round a fugitive thief-for-hire who organises a team to implant an idea that might change the world. Empire magazine in their August 2010 issue, wrote: “ it feels like Stanley Kubrick adapting the work of the great sci-fi author William Gibson .” Incidentally Stanley Kubrick is one of Christopher Nolan’s influences. During the month of July, BFI (British Film Institute) in association with Empire devoted their lead season to the works of Christopher Nolan. Film buffs and fans were invited to watch the director’s most outstanding work to coincide with the release of The Dark Knight Rises in UK cinemas and BFI IMAX this summer. Films showed at BFI during the season were Following, Memento, Insomnia, Batman Begins, The Prestige,The Dark Knight and short film Doodlebug . BFI, the lead body for film in the UK encourages people to understand and enjoy film culture by connecting audiences to the widest choice of British and World cinema, preserves and restores the most significant film collection in the world for future generations, champions emerging and world class film makers in the UK and promotes British film and talent to the world. Christopher Nolan will continue to focus on comic book action heroes with the forthcoming Man of Steel film, centred on Superman, which is set for release next year. Along with fellow screenwriter and film director David S Goyer, Nolan will approach the story of Superman from a different angle that he believes to be incredibly exciting. A long-time Bond fan, in 2010 Nolan is said to have also expressed an interest in directing a James Bond film. He has commented on Bond’s

Inception starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Ellen Page and Tom Hardy. The futuristic film examines the possibility of entering dreams to steal secrets. Images courtesy of BFI