Christopher Nolan Secures DGA’s Outstanding Directorial Achievement Award for ‘Oppenheimer’ as Oscar Momentum Builds
In the latest triumph for the film ‘Oppenheimer,’ Christopher Nolan has emerged victorious with the Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Theatrical Feature Film at the Directors Guild of America (DGA) Awards. This marks Nolan’s fifth nomination, following previous nods for ‘Memento’ (2002), ‘The Dark Knight’ (2009), ‘Inception’ (2011), and ‘Dunkirk’ (2018).
Nolan’s win at the DGAs serves as a significant indicator that he is poised for success at the upcoming Oscars. The DGA Awards have historically been a reliable predictor of the Best Director category at the Academy Awards, with only eight instances of disagreement in their history (1968, 1972, 1985, 1995, 2000, 2002, 2012, and 2019).
The award was presented to Nolan by last year’s DGA Award Feature Film winners, Daniel Scheinert and Dan Kwan of ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once.’ During his brief acceptance speech, Nolan expressed gratitude for the DGA’s advocacy for filmmakers’ rights and thanked his peers for their support.
Competing against formidable directors such as Martin Scorsese (‘Killers of the Flower Moon’), Greta Gerwig (‘Barbie’), Yorgos Lanthimos (‘Poor Things’), and Alexander Payne (‘The Holdovers’), Nolan’s victory adds to his previous wins at the Golden Globes and Critics Choice.
Cillian Murphy, who portrayed the title character in ‘Oppenheimer,’ presented Nolan with his nominee medal and shared anecdotes about their collaborative journey. Nolan, acknowledging his crew in the ballroom, praised their dedication and expressed gratitude to his wife, Emma Thomas, the lead producer of his films and the anchor to their family of four.
As Nolan continues to collect accolades, the anticipation for ‘Oppenheimer’ grows, with the film also nominated at the upcoming BAFTAs for Best Film, Adapted Screenplay, and Director. The British filmmaker’s success resonates not only as a personal achievement but as a testament to the collaborative efforts that define the filmmaking industry.
Christopher Nolan with his DGA award 🎬🏆👏🏻 pic.twitter.com/f26sg65f8B
— Christian Cortave (@CCortave24) February 11, 2024