Acclaimed director Christopher Nolan has revealed that he provided crucial encouragement to filmmaker Ryan Coogler, assuring him that his ambitious plan to shoot the vampire film "Sinners" using IMAX cameras was a sound creative decision.

Nolan, a two-time Oscar winner and one of Hollywood's most prominent advocates for the IMAX format, shared that Coogler reached out to him seeking advice before fully committing to the technical approach. The "Oppenheimer" director recalled that he had first introduced Coogler to the potential of IMAX years earlier by inviting him to a screening of his war epic "Dunkirk" .

Speaking about the pivotal phone call, Nolan explained that Coogler was looking for reassurance about the unconventional choice for his supernatural thriller. Nolan's advice was straightforward and supportive. He told Coogler that the idea was not crazy and that he would be eager to see the results .

The encouragement proved prescient. "Sinners," which was shot using a combination of IMAX 70mm and Ultra Panavision 70 photography, went on to achieve significant critical and commercial success . The film's stunning visuals were a major point of praise, and cinematographer Autumn Durald Arkapaw received the Academy Award for Best Cinematography for her work on the project . The film also garnered nominations for other top Oscars, further cementing its status as a landmark achievement in large-format filmmaking .

Nolan is now pushing the boundaries of the format even further with his upcoming epic, "The Odyssey." The film has made history as the first feature ever to be shot entirely with IMAX cameras . Nolan expressed his hope that this technological milestone will inspire other directors to explore the format's full creative potential .

The exchange between the two directors highlights a collaborative spirit in Hollywood, with Nolan acting as a mentor to Coogler. It underscores how the support of established figures can empower filmmakers to take bold artistic risks that pay off in both prestige and popularity.