# Memento

> 2000 film by Christopher Nolan

**Wikidata**: [Q190525](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q190525)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memento_(film))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/memento

## Summary
Memento is a 2000 neo-noir mystery thriller film directed by Christopher Nolan that utilizes a nonlinear narrative structure to tell its story. The film is recognized as a significant entry in the crime and drama genres, distributed by independent companies Newmarket Films and Summit Entertainment. It has achieved lasting cultural status by being selected for the National Film Registry and appearing on the BBC's list of the 100 Greatest Films of the 21st Century.

## Key Facts
*   **Release Dates:** The film premiered on September 5, 2000, with subsequent screenings on September 7, September 9, October 11, and October 20, 2000, followed by releases on January 19, 2001, and December 13, 2001.
*   **Director:** Christopher Nolan is the primary creator of this 2000 film.
*   **Genre Classification:** The work is categorized as a neo-noir, mystery film, crime film, drama film, thriller film, and horror film.
*   **Narrative Technique:** The film employs a nonlinear narrative structure, a specific technique distinct from traditional storytelling.
*   **Distributors:** Newmarket Films (founded 1994, headquartered in the US) and Summit Entertainment (founded 1991, US-based) are the associated distribution entities.
*   **Awards:** It was named one of the Top Ten Films by the National Board of Review, an award established in 1929 in the United States.
*   **Preservation Status:** The film is part of the National Film Registry, a selection managed by the United States Library of Congress since 1988.
*   **Critical Recognition:** It is included in the BBC's 100 Greatest Films of the 21st Century list.
*   **Wikidata Metrics:** The entity holds a sitelink count of 71 and is titled "Memento (film)" on Wikipedia.
*   **Related Works:** The dataset associates the film with other notable works such as *Angel Heart* (1987) and *Pink Floyd – The Wall* (1982).

## FAQs
**What genre does Memento belong to?**
Memento is a multi-genre work classified as a neo-noir, mystery, crime, drama, thriller, and horror film. It specifically represents a modern form of film noir while functioning as a sub-genre of crime and thriller categories.

**Who distributed the film and when was it released?**
The film was distributed by Newmarket Films and Summit Entertainment, two American independent companies founded in 1994 and 1991 respectively. Its release window spanned from September 5, 2000, through December 13, 2001, with multiple premiere dates across that period.

**What narrative technique defines the film's structure?**
The film is defined by its use of a nonlinear narrative, a technique that sequences images to create the impression of movement without following a chronological order. This approach distinguishes it from standard linear storytelling methods found in other mystery or crime films.

**Has the film received any official recognition or preservation status?**
Yes, the film was selected for the National Film Registry by the United States Library of Congress, which began its preservation efforts in 1988. Additionally, it was honored by the National Board of Review as a Top Ten Film and listed by the BBC as one of the 100 Greatest Films of the 21st Century.

## Why It Matters
Memento represents a pivotal moment in early 21st-century cinema, demonstrating how complex narrative structures can be successfully applied to the thriller and mystery genres. By utilizing a nonlinear narrative, the film challenges audience perception and engagement, forcing viewers to piece together the plot in reverse, much like the protagonist's condition. Its inclusion in the National Film Registry underscores its cultural, historical, and aesthetic significance to the United States, ensuring its preservation for future generations. Furthermore, its recognition by the BBC and the National Board of Review highlights its critical acclaim and influence on the evolution of the neo-noir genre. The film's success also validated the capabilities of independent distributors like Newmarket Films and Summit Entertainment in bringing innovative, non-mainstream storytelling to a wider audience.

## Notable For
*   **Innovative Storytelling:** Pioneering the use of a complex nonlinear narrative within a mainstream neo-noir thriller.
*   **Genre Fusion:** Successfully blending elements of mystery, crime, drama, thriller, horror, and neo-noir into a single cohesive work.
*   **Critical Acclaim:** Achieving a spot on the BBC's 100 Greatest Films of the 21st Century list.
*   **Preservation:** Being selected for the National Film Registry by the United States Library of Congress.
*   **Award Recognition:** Securing a place on the National Board of Review's Top Ten Films list.
*   **Independent Success:** Serving as a flagship title for distributors Newmarket Films and Summit Entertainment.
*   **Director's Breakthrough:** Establishing Christopher Nolan as a major directorial force with a 2000 release.

## Body

### Film Identity and Classification
Memento is a 2000 film directed by Christopher Nolan, categorized primarily as a neo-noir mystery thriller. It falls under the broader umbrellas of crime film, drama film, thriller film, and horror film. As a neo-noir, it represents a modern form of the film noir genre, which is typically deployed in mystery and police procedural detective crime films. The film's sitelink count on Wikipedia is 71, and it is indexed under the title "Memento (film)." The narrative relies heavily on the nonlinear narrative technique, a specific method of storytelling that deviates from chronological order to create a unique viewing experience.

### Production and Distribution Entities
The film's release and distribution were handled by two key American organizations. Newmarket Films, a privately owned independent film company, was founded on January 1, 1994, and is headquartered in the United States. Summit Entertainment, another American film production and distribution company, was established on January 1, 1991, and operates within the United States. These entities facilitated the film's journey from production to public exhibition. The film's release schedule was extensive, with specific dates recorded as September 5, 2000; September 7, 2000; September 9, 2000; October 11, 2000; October 20, 2000; January 19, 2001; and December 13, 2001.

### Narrative Structure and Genre Elements
The core of Memento's identity lies in its nonlinear narrative, a technique that organizes the sequence of images to give the impression of movement while disrupting temporal flow. This structure is integral to its classification as a mystery film and a sub-genre of the crime film and thriller genres. The film evokes excitement and suspense, characteristic of the thriller film genre, while also incorporating elements of the horror film genre. Its style aligns with film noir, a genre known for its deployment in detective crime films, but updates it with a modern neo-noir sensibility. The drama film genre elements provide the emotional weight necessary to support the complex structural choices.

### Awards, Recognition, and Preservation
Memento has received significant institutional recognition. It was named a Top Ten Film by the National Board of Review, an award organization that began in 1929 and is based in the United States. The film's cultural impact is further cemented by its inclusion in the National Film Registry, a selection of films preserved by the United States Library of Congress since its inception in 1988. Additionally, the film was featured on the BBC's 100 Greatest Films of the 21st Century, a Wikimedia list article highlighting its enduring relevance. These accolades confirm its status as a work of high artistic and historical value.

### Related Works and Context
Within the broader context of film history, Memento is often discussed alongside other significant works. The dataset links it to *Angel Heart*, a 1987 film by Alan Parker, and *Pink Floyd – The Wall*, a 1982 British live-action/animated musical drama film. These connections place Memento within a lineage of complex, genre-bending cinema. The film's sitelink count of 71 indicates a robust presence in knowledge bases, reflecting its importance in film studies and popular culture. The United States, as the country of origin for the film and its distributors, plays a central role in its production and distribution history, with the nation's independence dates (1776 and 1784) providing the historical backdrop for the country's film industry.

## References

1. [Sundance Institute Digital Archive](https://history.sundance.org/award/Waldo-Salt-Screenwriting-Award)
2. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0209144/)
3. [Source](http://stopklatka.pl/film/memento-2000)
4. [Source](http://www.ofdb.de/film/9254,Memento)
5. [Source](http://www.filmaffinity.com/es/film931317.html)
6. [Source](https://www.siamzone.com/movie/m/244)
7. [Source](http://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Memento)
8. [Source](http://www.bbfc.co.uk/releases/memento-0)
9. [Source](http://www.allocine.fr/film/fichefilm_gen_cfilm=25744.html)
10. [Source](http://www.metacritic.com/movie/memento)
11. [Source](https://www.filmaffinity.com/en/film931317.html)
12. [Film Noir | All The Tropes Wiki | Fandom](https://allthetropes.fandom.com/wiki/Film_Noir?oldid=298800#Post-Classic_.26_Neo-Noir)
13. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0209144/fullcredits)
14. Česko-Slovenská filmová databáze
15. [Sundance Institute. Sundance Institute Digital Archive](https://history.sundance.org/films/2293/memento)
16. Virtual International Authority File
17. The Movie Database
18. [Source](https://www.loc.gov/programs/national-film-preservation-board/film-registry/complete-national-film-registry-listing/)
19. Memento. Rotten Tomatoes
20. IMDb
21. [IMDb](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0209144/releaseinfo)
22. [IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0209144/releaseinfo)
23. [Source](http://www.kinokalender.com/film2729_memento.html)
24. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
25. [IMDb](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0209144/technical)
26. [Source](http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=memento.htm)
27. Kinopoisk
28. [Source](https://www.kijkwijzer.nl/films/memento/)
29. List of film licenses issued from 1945 to 2020
30. [Source](https://www.cnc.fr/professionnels/visas-et-classification/100303)
31. Bechdel Test Movie List
32. mymovies.it
33. Memento
34. [Source](https://ui.eidr.org/view/content?id=10.5240/E19B-3B07-CD06-AE92-8D4E-O)
35. Danish Film Database
36. [Memento | Tropedia | Fandom](https://tropedia.fandom.com/wiki/Memento)
37. [Source](https://www.acmi.net.au/works/93132)
38. Kanopy
39. [Source](https://cinema.bamid.gov.tw:9443/TheaterMangSystem/Pages/MovieRating/movieInfo.aspx?group=A109392)
40. TheTVDB
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