How Soundtracks Enhance a Film
Soundtracks are the backbone of a moving film. Each song and every sound works to keep a story’s momentum going. Pairing Christopher Nolan’s themes with Hans Zimmer’s mesmerizing compositions opens up a wild and beautiful universe of movies.
Christopher Nolan and Hans Zimmer’s creative relationship spans more than a decade. With Nolan’s directorial passion and Zimmer’s musical talent, their collaboration started in 2005 with the film Batman Begins.
Realizing the potential to create more striking movies with captivating soundtracks, the two continued their efforts together with popular titles like Inception (2010), Interstellar (2014), Dunkirk (2017), and The Dark Knight trilogy.
The catalyst for this continuous pairing is their admiration for one another. Nolan’s mind-bending plots are the perfect match for Zimmer’s transportive music. Zimmer’s ability to orchestrate such sounds meshes seamlessly with Nolan’s stories.
In order to create such compelling films with magnetic soundtracks, one must be able to imagine those new worlds as a reality. Nolan and Zimmer work closely in order to make these realities exist on the screen. Not only does Zimmer score the films with compatibility being a central factor, but he also uses sounds and orchestration to enhance the story, creating new worlds for the audience.
For instance, to magnify the aspect of time in Dunkirk, Zimmer implemented the sound of ticking throughout the film. This technique leads viewers to feel the stress and emotions the characters feel. According to Vox, the use of “auditory illusions” assisted in creating dreadful feelings throughout the movie.
As for Inception, Zimmer used another repetitive noise meant to warn the characters they needed to wake from their dreams. As the movie progresses, this becomes a sound that the audience recognizes as well, allowing for a more immersive experience.
The basic principles of this duo lie in the passion for creativity, storytelling, and collaboration.
Although the two aren’t currently collaborating, Zimmer’s next big project will be adding to his Oscar-winning Dune soundtrack. The sequel is set to be released on November 3, 2023. Nolan’s Oppenheimer is releasing this July.
Next time you watch a movie, pay careful attention to how the soundtrack amplifies the story. Take note of how different sounds and songs within a film make you feel and how those feelings relate to what is happening on the screen.
Article Courtesy of Katie Mann
Feature image via WikiCommons
Recent Comments