From his earliest days as a feature film director, Christopher Nolan showed himself to be a creator endowed with exceptional talent. This is evident in his debut film, FOLLOWING (1998), shot in black and white, on 16mm film, and with a paltry budget of six thousand dollars. Well-received by critics, the film set the course that has characterized the director's subsequent works.
LThe first thing to highlight in FOLLOWING is the choice of suspense as a field of experimentation. Nolan moves freely in this area, imbuing his films with a transcendental tone that captivates the viewer. This allows him to tackle entertainment themes, which he skillfully transforms into dramas of profound depth, as in INCEPTION (2010) or THE PRESTIGE (2006).
His handling of editing is remarkable. In FOLLOWING, Nolan himself acts as editor. The result is a deconstructed timeline that keeps the viewer in suspense. In it, scenes aren't complete until some detail from the past or future brings the story full circle.
FOLLOWING is a low-budget production that showcases Christopher Nolan's financial acumen. This skill has allowed him to define the type of films he has brought to the screen to date. His talent as a producer, combined with the artistry he brings to his films, enables him to be an independent filmmaker in an industry that prioritizes box office success above all else.