Tacita Dean Supports Christopher Nolan’s Photochemical Film at Oscars

The UK artist Tacita Dean expresses her support for film director Christopher Nolan as his movie ‘Oppenheimer’ receives 13 Academy Award nominations. Known for her advocacy and dedication to photochemical film, Dean hopes Nolan will triumph at the Oscars in March. She highlights that ‘Oppenheimer’ is entirely shot on photochemical film, showcasing real effects and technical expertise. The two artists previously appeared together at an event called Reframing the Future of Film at the Getty Center in Los Angeles.

Dean has been actively campaigning for the preservation and production of chemical film amidst the digitalization push. Her earlier work, ‘FILM (2011),’ commissioned by Tate Modern‘s Turbine Hall, celebrated the craftsmanship of analogue filmmaking. Last year, her most recent analogue film piece titled ‘Geography Biography‘ was showcased at the Bourse de Commerce (Pinault Collection) in Paris. She emphasizes the importance of preserving technical knowledge within the photochemical industry.

‘Oppenheimer’ was exclusively shot on Imax 65mm and Panavision 65mm film, utilizing some of the highest-resolution film cameras available. To ensure the best viewing experience, the Imax 65mm footage was transferred onto 70mm film for projection in an Imax 70mm cinema. Nolan has long advocated for audiences to witness the full Imax 70mm experience.

Jack Wentworth-Weedon, events coordinator at the National Science and Media Museum in Bradford, explains that 70mm provides a unique visual experience for film lovers. He mentions an entire industry dedicated to recreating the distinct look of 70mm films.

Dean acknowledges the initial threat to the cinema industry posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, with many people believing that gathering to watch films was unnecessary. However, she stresses the importance of maintaining the institution of cinema. Screening films in 70mm and drawing viewers to cinemas was always a goal that resonated with audiences, particularly teenagers. Dean applauds Nolan’s efforts to preserve the art of cinema.

Tacita Dean is well-known for her 16mm and 35mm films, blackboard drawings, photogravures, collages, sound works, and found object pieces. As a British-born artist, she has spent a significant portion of her artistic career living in Berlin, which has served as a backdrop for many of her impactful works. She currently divides her time between Berlin and Los Angeles.