The Making of a Lost Film
In 1996, christopher nolan debuted his short film “Larceny” at the Cambridge Film Festival. This would be the first and only time it was shown to a public audience, as ever since that day, “Larceny” has been kept under lock and key.
- Like “Following,” the eight-minute-long film was shot on black and white 16mm film while Nolan was part of the film society at University College London.
- Nolan had contributed a short film named “Tarantella” to an episode of the TV series “Image Union” back in 1990, which was lost until internet sleuths tracked it down.
- Similarly, Nolan’s 1997 three-minute short “Doodlebug” can also be seen online and is even included on the Criterion edition of “Following.”
- Nolan even directed a short documentary film in 2015 about animators, the Brothers Quay, which is freely available.
A Collaborative Effort
The short featured collaborations with several people who would become frequent Nolan collaborators, including David Julyan, who provided the film’s music and went on to work with the director on “Memento,” “Insomnia,” and “The Prestige” — three of the best Nolan films. The lead actor, Jeremy Theobald, also starred in “Following.” In Darren Mooney’s “Christopher Nolan: A Critical Study of the Films,” Theobald spoke briefly about “Larceny,” praising the script as unique. “This was witty,” he said. “It was funny, it was pithy, and it was dark. It had a great twist at the end.”
Plot Details
We do know the story of “Larceny” involves an apartment burglary wherein the homeowner actually confronts the intruder during his break-in. In an interview with Empire magazine, Jeremy Theobald revealed this about the plot: “A man breaks into a flat, startling the occupant (me). They argue about the new girlfriend of the ‘burglar,’ who’s come to get her stuff. Then a third man bursts out of the cupboard.”
Theories Surrounding the Film’s Status
Why Nolan — who is currently working on his adaptation of “The Odyssey” — has kept “Larceny” under wraps since its initial showing remains just as mysterious as the film itself. Assistant director of the short, Nigel Karikari, told the New York Times, “Chris is a very controlled artist, a controlled filmmaker. Him not wanting to release that is just another extension of that.”
The Potential Consequences of Losing a Nolan Film
Whatever the case, Nolan’s refusal to revisit “Larceny” in any form has both frustrated and intrigued fans (if the Letterboxd comments are anything to go by). Is Nolan planning to use the short film’s concept for a full-length film, or is he merely trying to keep people from seeing a project he perhaps isn’t all that fond of in retrospect?
| Speculation | Reasoning |
|---|---|
| Nolan plans to use the concept for a full-length film. | Nolan’s refusal to release “Larceny” could be a deliberate attempt to keep the concept under wraps, potentially due to its similarity to “Following.” |
| Nolan doesn’t want to release “Larceny” due to personal reasons. | Nolan’s controlling nature and reluctance to release “Larceny” could be indicative of his preference for maintaining control over his work. |
The Legacy of “Larceny”
For now, however, this remains a sought-after piece of lost media amid the director’s oeuvre. Nolan fans have managed to glean a few insights over the years they’ve spent searching for a copy of “Larceny.” The story of “Larceny” involves an apartment burglary, and its plot is described as witty, funny, and dark, with a great twist at the end. The film’s refusal to be released has both frustrated and intrigued fans, leaving many to speculate about the potential consequences of losing a Nolan film. The Future of “Larceny”
Perhaps one day, “Larceny” will emerge and fans will be able to complete the Nolan filmography. For now, however, this remains a mysterious piece of lost media, waiting to be rediscovered. Nolan’s refusal to revisit “Larceny” in any form has left fans with a sense of mystery and intrigue surrounding this elusive short film.