Amara Kwiatkowski

Amara's Undergraduate Research Experience

Majors: Plan II and Government
Minors: American Studies and English
Graduation Year: Spring 2024

Name of Project: Liberty in Limbo: The Evolution of Classical Liberalism, Apocalypse,
and Morality in Christopher Nolan’s Filmography

Please give a brief, simplified overview of your research project.

My honors thesis examined the politics behind Christopher Nolan’s filmography.
Through extensive literature review and close reading, I explored the following
questions: How do Nolan’s politics impact his films, and how do they evolve politically
over time? Additionally, to what extent are shifts in public opinion reflected in his films? I
analyzed the evolution of the politics within Nolan’s films, focusing on his highest-
grossing movies and franchises: The Dark Knight trilogy, Inception, Interstellar, and
Oppenheimer.

Describe the tasks you engage in as part of your work.

Most of my thesis involved reading primary sources, such as Nolan’s screenplays, and
secondary sources, such as critical analysis of his work.

Describe what you thought college might be like before you came to UT. Did you
consider research when thinking about college?

I entered as a freshman dead-set on going to law school. I had never considered
research until I participated in research for course credit as a sophomore. I realized that
my passions lie in research. I quickly shifted gears, and I am now pursuing a career in
higher education and academia. My research experience at UT shifted my career
trajectory.

How did you get involved with your research project?

I wrote my thesis for the Plan II Honors program, but my inspiration came from the
courses I took at UT. “Politics and Film” with Dr. O’Brien and “Apocalyptic Narratives”
with Dr. Jennifer Wilks shaped my thesis, and I am so grateful to have worked with
these professors during the process. Moreover, I took both of these courses around the
time that Nolan’s Oppenheimer was released, which confirmed my interest in working
with Nolan’s filmography.

Do you see your project connecting with your plans for your future?

Yes! I aim to study political science further in graduate school, specifically contemporary
theory. Many themes in Nolan’s films comment on current events through theories like
classical liberalism and liberal humanism. While I did not set out to write my thesis on
political theory, I learned so much through my thesis that will help me develop larger
research projects.

What is the most interesting or surprising thing you’ve gotten to do for this
project?

After completing my thesis, I learned that I really enjoy presenting my work to an
audience. I had the opportunity to present for the Women’s and Gender Studies
Graduate Studies Conference, the Longhorn Research Poster Session, and the Plan II
Symposium. Despite my anxious thoughts beforehand, it felt surprisingly empowering to
receive feedback and answer questions.

What advice would you give to a student who was thinking about research?

Pursue research that interests you, even if it does not match your degree plan. The best
part about research is that there are infinite possibilities––don’t limit yourself!

Any final thoughts relating your research to current events and issues…or
anything else you would like to add.

Through my research, I spent hours watching and re-watching movies. Engaging in
media can be both fun and incredibly beneficial for the development of society––I was
able to study how prolific filmmakers like Christopher Nolan perceive the world and how
that perception can change. Research can take many shapes, but at the end of the day,
research aims to understand the world from a new point of view.