The Prestige

Director: Christopher Nolan, Christopher Nolan, Christopher Nolan, Christopher Nolan

2006 / 130min / 35mm

Crowley’s third turn as production designer for Christopher Nolan was this taut, twist-filled psychological thriller that moves from a lushly rendered c. 1890 London to the wilds of Colorado, following former workmates turned bitter rivals Hugh Jackman and Christian Bale, two magicians engaged in an increasingly acrimonious battle of upstaging and undermining. While the two men are absorbed in their grudge match, the Victorian era becomes the Machine Age, the latter represented by the figure of inventor Nikola Tesla (David Bowie, something of a magician himself). “The intricate design of The Prestige involved weaving together multiple storylines, set pieces, and locations. Despite a limited budget, the decision was made to film entirely on location in Los Angeles, even though the story was set in London. This approach facilitated the creation of a complex narrative that relied heavily on interweaving sets, allowing audiences to fully immerse themselves in the characters’ transition from friendship to bitter feud. Similar to the way The Good, the Bad and the Ugly utilizes world-building to enhance a personal story, The Prestige relies on its meticulously crafted environment to deepen the audience's connection with the characters and their journey.”—Nathan Crowley

Introduction and Q&A with Production Designer Nathan Crowley, moderated by filmmaker Rupert Wyatt, on Friday, January 19th