Exploring the Vast Expanse of Space and Time: A Cinematographic Masterpiece Review of Christopher Nolan’s Interstellar

Sentamu Phillip
3 min readFeb 20, 2023

--

Matthew McConaughey as Joseph in Interstellar (2014). Copyright Legendary Pictures.

Christopher Nolan’s “Interstellar” is a breathtaking masterpiece that takes the audience on a journey through space and time, exploring the limits of human knowledge and understanding. The cinematography in this film is truly exceptional, and it is clear that Nolan has worked closely with his talented team of filmmakers to create a visual masterpiece that is both stunning and awe-inspiring.

Interstellar (2014). Directed by Christopher Nolan. Copyright Legendary Pictures

One of the most striking features of the cinematography in “Interstellar” is the use of wide-angle lenses and expansive shots. From the very beginning of the film, the audience is treated to sweeping vistas of cornfields and wide-open skies, which serve to emphasize the vastness of the world and the sense of isolation that the characters feel. The use of wide-angle lenses also serves to make the spacecraft and space environments appear larger and more imposing, which is especially effective in the scenes that take place in the wormhole and near the black hole.

The color grading in “Interstellar” is also noteworthy. The film features a desaturated color palette, with muted earth tones dominating the scenes on Earth and more saturated colors used in space. This contrast in color tones emphasizes the difference between the two environments and adds to the film’s overall sense of unease and disorientation. The use of muted colors also serves to make the more dramatic moments of the film, such as the scenes on the water planet, stand out even more.

Copyright Legendary Pictures.

The use of sound in “Interstellar” is also exceptional. The film features a haunting and immersive score by Hans Zimmer, which is used to great effect to create a sense of tension and urgency throughout the film. The score is accompanied by some of the most innovative sound design in recent memory, with the sound of the spacecraft’s engines and the ticking of a clock used to heighten the tension and add to the film’s overall sense of urgency.

Perhaps the most impressive aspect of the cinematography in “Interstellar” is the way in which it seamlessly blends practical effects and computer-generated imagery. The spacecraft and space environments are rendered with stunning attention to detail, with every rivet, bolt, and wire visible in close-up shots. The use of practical effects, such as the rotating sets used to simulate gravity on board the spacecraft, adds a sense of realism and weight to the film’s more fantastical elements.

Copyright Legendary Pictures
Copyright Legendary Pictures

Overall, the cinematography in “Interstellar” is a tour de force of visual storytelling. Nolan and his team have crafted a film that is both visually stunning and emotionally resonant, and the cinematography is a major part of what makes the film so successful. From the sweeping vistas of Earth to the haunting silence of space, every shot in “Interstellar” is a work of art in its own right, and the film is a must-see for anyone who appreciates the power and beauty of cinema.

Get in touch:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/phillip-sentamu-96255a116

Upwork: https://www.upwork.com/freelancers/~011b5a0af2c6da49ad?s=1044578476142100540

Fiverr: https://www.fiverr.com/s2/21388e48d1

--

--

Sentamu Phillip
Sentamu Phillip

Written by Sentamu Phillip

Director, Cinematographer, Colorist & Alumni of NYFA

No responses yet