In Hollywood, many a bright young director arrives thinking he'll make a film or two by their rules, pay the mortgage, and then use his newfound power and prestige to make the films he cares about.
Many a bright young director also goes home with his tail between his legs — just think of how the studios ruined Orson Welles or, for that matter, how Martin Scorsese gets an Oscar for "The Departed," and not "Taxi Driver" or "Goodfellas." Steven Soderbergh and Richard Linklater (and to some extent Gus Van Sant) are about the only people who've been canny or bipolar enough to make studio flicks and still be able to dive into the deep end on their own projects.
Add British director Christopher Nolan to that shortlist. The director made a name for himself with two smart, suspenseful mysteries, "Following" and "Memento," which featured tricky plots, fractured narratives, and no gratuitous explosions or sword-wielding trolls. Hardly the sort of thing Hollywood laps up; "Following" was even shot in black and white, which is about as popular as the Ebola virus in La-la Land. But "Memento" went on to become a surprise hit, and before you know it, look who's directing "Batman Begins!"