Pre-Inception

Love Inception? Check out Christopher Nolan’s unknown first film

Inception hits theaters today and it’s not too early to say that director Christopher Nolan’s should change his last name to SpielbergKubrickScorsese Shayamalan. Or, um, maybe just SpielbergKubrickScorsese.

Regardless, Nolan's proven that he’s one of today’s greatest living directors. Which means you’re beholden to catch up on all his work. Obviously you’ve already seen the Batman movies. And Memento. And you’ve probably caught The Prestige and maybe even Insomnia. But how many of you have checked out Nolan’s first film, the ultra-low budget, black and white, narrative-twisting Following?

An impressive first film for a new director working with no money and unpolished actors, Following is about a man who enjoys, well, following people. After secretly shadowing strangers for the voyeuristic thrill of Peeping Tomming their lives, he gets caught tailing a thief—and soon joins the thief in rifling through other people’s homes. Thus begins a taut narrative that hops back and forth in time as the suspense builds.

Although it’s certainly not up to the level of Nolan’s later works, Following is an impressive achievement, especially considering it was filmed over a year’s worth of Saturdays because everyone had day jobs. Obviously, that’s an obstacle Nolan didn’t have to overcome on Inception.

Forward to a Buddy Invite a Buddy