Golden Globes 2024: Christopher Nolan remembers Heath Ledger during his acceptance speech

Christopher Nolan secured the award for Best Director-Motion Picture for his biopic film ‘Oppenheimer’. During his acceptance speech, the filmmaker remembered his “dear friend” Heath Ledger. 

Nolan said, “The only time I’ve ever been on this stage before was accepting one of these on behalf of our dear friend, Heath Ledger, and that was complicated and challenging for me”. He added, “In the middle of speaking, I got all stuck, and Robert Downey Jr. caught my eye and gave me a look of love and support — the same look he’s giving me now.” 

“I thought it would be simpler accepting for myself. But, as a director, I realise I can only accept this on behalf of people. As directors, we bring people together and we try to get them to give their best,” the filmmaker concluded. 

Ledger portrayed the negative role in his film ‘The Dark Knight’. The actor died after the shoot for the film was completed. As per Variety, his haunting portrayal of the ‘Joker’ earned him several posthumous awards, Golden Globe and Oscar for Best Supporting Actor. 

The biopic is set during World War II and tells the story of ‘Oppenheimer’ learnt that testing of atomic bomb would ignite the atmosphere and destroy the world. He still pushed the button anyway. He was also known as the “Father of the Atomic Bomb.” 

According to Variety, the award marks Nolan’s first Globe though he has been previously nominated for writing 2000 film ‘Momento’ writing and directing 2010’s ‘Inception.’ He was also nominated as best director for 2017 film ‘Dunkirk.’