“It’s about the level of distraction. If I’m generating my material and writing my own scripts, being on a smartphone all day wouldn’t be very useful for me,” Nolan said.
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Christopher Nolan, the 52-year-old director of “Oppenheimer,” shared his unwavering dedication to his craft. He adamantly avoids distractions, especially from a smartphone, and remains virtually unplugged from modern communication technologies.
Nolan revealed that he doesn’t carry a smartphone and refrains from using email, a deliberate choice that helps him stay focused on his filmmaking process. Even when writing scripts, he opts for a computer without an internet connection. According to Nolan, it allows him to immerse himself fully in the creative world he’s crafting.
Nolan acknowledged that his kids would likely label him as a complete Luddite, referencing the term for individuals who resist adopting new technologies.
Christopher Nolan’s aversion to smartphones is mainly to eliminate distractions
When asked about his apparent Luddite tendencies, he pushed back on that characterization. Christopher Nolan clarified to THR that he doesn’t outright reject technology, considering its incredible capabilities. However, he maintains a deliberate distance from smartphones for a specific reason.
Explaining his rationale, the Oscar nominee emphasized that his choice is primarily driven by the level of involvement and the potential distractions. Being deeply engrossed in generating his own material and writing scripts, he finds that constantly using a smartphone would prove counterproductive and not very conducive to his creative process. Thus, his decision to stay off a smartphone is motivated by a desire to maintain focus and preserve the quality of his artistic work.
“My personal choice is about how involved I get,” he explained. “It’s about the level of distraction. If I’m generating my material and writing my own scripts, being on a smartphone all day wouldn’t be very useful for me.”
Back in 2020, Christopher Nolan revealed to PEOPLE that he occasionally carries a flip phone with him. According to the acclaimed director, this deliberate choice of minimal tech interference proves to be highly advantageous for his artistic endeavors.
“I’m easily distractible so I don’t really want to have access to the internet every time when I’m bored,” he said. “I do a lot of my best thinking in those kind of in-between moments that people now fill with online activity, so it benefits me.”
Christopher Nolan’s latest film’s release
The acclaimed filmmaker has revealed his unique aversion to certain modern communication methods. Not only does he steer clear of smartphones, but he also avoids using email, stating that he has never been particularly interested in communicating with people in that manner. Instead, he prefers reaching out to others through traditional landline calls.
Nolan explained, “I mean, everybody finds their own way to communicate with people and deal with things.”
Nolan’s latest cinematic endeavor centers around the life of J. Robert Oppenheimer, portrayed by the talented Cillian Murphy. The film chronicles the journey of the renowned scientist who led the Manhattan Project during World War II, striving to create an atomic bomb. Based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning biography “American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer,” the movie also stars Matt Damon, Robert Downey Jr., Emily Blunt, and Florence Pugh.
Coincidentally, the film’s release aligns with another highly anticipated movie, Barbie, which also features a cast member with similar aversions to modern technology.
Michael Cera, who stars in Barbie, revealed that he prefers using a flip phone over an iPhone. Consequently, he was left out of a cast group chat due to this unique choice.
Cera explained, “I don’t have an iPhone myself… I have a flip phone. But I still think I wouldn’t belong on [the group chat] anyway, because [my character] Allan is sort of in his own little world.”