Christopher Nolan reflects on accepting award for Heath Ledger in moving speech at Golden Globes

Christopher Nolan spoke about his ‘dear friend’ Heath Ledger in an emotional speech after he won the best director role at the Golden Globes.

Nolan, 53, scooped the Golden Globe for Best Film Director for Oppenheimer - one of five wins for the movie.

Oppenheimer also won the awards for Best Motion Picture - Drama, Best Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama for Cillian Murphy, Best Supporting Actor for Robert Downey Jr and Best Original Score - Motion Picture for Ludwig Göransson.

Collecting his award, Murphy paid tribute to Nolan and their 20-year-long collaboration that has seen them work on six movies together so far.

He said: “I knew the first time I walked on a Chris Nolan set it was different.

“I could tell by the level of vigour, focus, the level of dedication and the complete lack of seating options for actors.”

And when it was Nolan’s turn to step on stage to collect his award, he recalled the moment he accepted an award for the late Ledger, who died in 2008 aged just 28.

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Ledger tragically passed away before the release of Nolan’s The Dark Knight in which he played the Joker.

Ledger’s performance in the Batman movie was met with critical acclaim, and he posthumously won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor, a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor, and a BAFTA Award for Best Supporting Actor.

Nolan said: “The only time I have only 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.

“In the middle of speaking Robert Downey Jr caught my eye and gave me a look of love and support, the same look he is giving me now, the same love and support he’s shown so many people in our community over so many years.

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“I thought it would be simpler accepting for myself but as a director of course I accept on behalf of (everyone), as directors we bring people together, we try and get them to bring their best.”

Downey Jr won the award for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Lewis Strauss in Oppenheimer.

Appearing on stage, he joked: “I took a beta blocker so this is going to be a breeze.”

The 58-year-old then thanked the cast and crew which helped them ‘render a God damn masterpiece’ in Oppenheimer.