In 2017 , Nolan directed and produced '' Dunkirk '' , based on his own original screenplay . The story is set amid World War II and the evacuation of Allied soldiers from the beaches of Dunkirk , France , in 1940 . During the year-long production of his first film , '' Following '' , Nolan and Thomas hired a small sailing boat to take them across the English Channel and retrace the journey of the little ships of Dunkirk . " We did it at the same time of year to get a sense of what it was like , and it turned out to be an incredibly dangerous experience . " Describing the film as a survival tale with a triptych structure , he wanted to make a " sensory , almost experimental movie " with minimal dialogue . Nolan said he waited to make '' Dunkirk '' until he had earned the trust of a major studio to let him make it as a British film , but with an American budget . Before filming , Nolan also sought advice from Spielberg , who later said in an interview with '' Variety '' , " Knowing and respecting that Chris Nolan is one of the world 's most imaginative filmmakers , my advice to him was to leave his imagination , as I did on '' Ryan '' , in second position to the research he was doing to authentically acquit this historical drama . " Starring Fionn Whitehead , Jack Lowden , Aneurin Barnard , Harry Styles , Tom Hardy , Mark Rylance , Cillian Murphy , and Kenneth Branagh , '' Dunkirk '' was released in theatres on 21July 2017 to widespread critical acclaim and strong box office results , grossing over $ 525million worldwide , making it the highest-grossing World WarII film of all time . In his review , Mick LaSalle of the '' San Francisco Chronicle '' wrote : " It 's one of the best war films ever made , distinct in its look , in its approach and in the effect it has on viewers . There are movies — they are rare — that lift you out of your present circumstances and immerse you so fully in another experience that you watch in a state of jaw-dropped awe . '' Dunkirk '' is that kind of movie . " The film received eight nominations at the 71st British Academy Film Awards ; winning one for Best Sound , three at the 75th Golden Globes , and eight at the 90th Academy Awards , including Best Picture and Best Director ( Nolan 's first Oscar nomination for directing ) ; winning three for Best Sound Editing , Best Sound Mixing , and Best Film Editing . Nolan was also nominated by the DGA and PGA , among other accolades
75th Golden Globes
75th Golden Globe Awards
Christopher Nolan