Christopher Nolan on how Francis Bacon’s paintings inspired The Joker’s makeup from The Dark Knight  

The Tate is the one of the greatest art museums in the world (really a network of four separate museums, but no matter). The flagship Tate Britain museum in London reopened this month after an extensive renovation, and to celebrate the new digs, Tate’s YouTube channel is featuring a series entitled “Film Meets Art,” where British directors discuss inspirational visual art. Below is the episode with Chrisopher Nolan, discussing how the work of 20th century British painter Francis Bacon (Nolan's favorite artist) affected the makeup design of Heath Ledger’s Joker in The Dark Knight, making the clown makeup “more real world” and threatening, “worth-through…and sweaty.” There are also clips of Mike Leigh discussing the incredible Impressionist work of J.M.W. Turner, and The Wind That Shakes The Barley director Ken Loach talking about 18th century painter William Hogarth on Tate's YouTube channel. It’s a fascinating glimpse into how fine art has inspired contemporary British filmmakers.

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