Debunking Christopher Nolan's ‘no chairs on set' rule

Christopher Nolan, the visionary director behind Interstellar and The Dark Knight Rises, found himself at the center of a curious controversy: his alleged "no chairs on set" rule. The issue gained traction after Anne Hathaway, a frequent collaborator, mentioned it during an interview with Hugh Jackman for Variety’s Actors on Actors series. The notion that Nolan forbids chairs on his sets sparked a range of reactions from film critics and journalists. Former A.V. Club critic Ignatiy Vishnevetsky labeled the rule as "dumb and pretentious," while Vulture critic Matt Zoller Seitz questioned the completeness of the story. "This is an odd story that feels incomplete," Seitz noted, reflecting the skepticism surrounding the claim.

Nolan making "no sitting" a rule is dumb and pretentious, in part because there's already nowhere to sit on a film set.

— Ignatiy Vishnevetsky (@vishnevetsky) June 29, 2020

Also read: Christopher Nolan conjures movie magic in espionage thriller Tenet

Despite the initial uproar, it became evident that the rule was not as strict or universal as initially perceived. Vishnevetsky later shared photos from Nolan's sets showing crew members sitting, indicating that the rule applied primarily to principal actors during scenes, not to every cast and crew member. Mandy co-writer Aaron Stewart-Ahn, who was an extra on The Dark Knight Rises, confirmed, "we had plenty of chairs and tables in our staging area."

Hate to be the Nolan Defender™, but a quick search of pics suggests this rule is for, uh, actors and producers, not crew. pic.twitter.com/Qt8D5au1vC

— Ignatiy Vishnevetsky (@vishnevetsky) June 29, 2020

A misunderstood directive or a deliberate method?

Journalist Jeff Jensen and Oscar pundit Gregory Ellwood also reported seeing chairs on the sets of The Dark Knight Rises and Interstellar. This led to a reevaluation of Hathaway's comments and Nolan's intent. "I was on the sets... and people, I’m telling you, there were chairs," Jensen clarified, suggesting that the no-chairs rule might be more nuanced than a blanket ban. The discussion around Nolan's approach raised important questions about working conditions on film sets. Critic Katie Walsh expressed concerns about the rule being potentially ableist and a labor violation. "It bears discussion about who gets to make films and how they are made," Walsh argued, highlighting the broader implications of such directives in the filmmaking industry.

I don’t mean to cause trouble, but... I was on the sets of both “The Dark Knight Rises” and “Interstellar,” and people, I’m telling you, there were chairs. I even sat in a couple.

— Jeff Jensen (@EWDocJensen) June 30, 2020

Also read: Christopher Nolan's tenet unveiled: Espionage and A-list cast revealed

Christopher Nolan's impact on filmmaking

Despite the controversy, Nolan's body of work continues to be celebrated for its technical prowess and emotional depth. The director's unique methods, including the debated no-chairs rule, contribute to his reputation as a filmmaker who constantly pushes boundaries. Whether misunderstood or a deliberate part of his directing style, Nolan's approach to filmmaking remains a topic of fascination and discussion in the industry. In conclusion, while the “no chairs on set” rule attributed to Christopher Nolan stirred up controversy, it appears to be more of a nuanced approach than an outright ban, reflecting the director's distinctive style and the complexities of film production.

(Several parts of the text in this article, including the title, were generated with the help of an AI tool.)