Sailing Through Time: The Boat In Tenet

Christopher Nolan's 2020 film Tenet features a plethora of boats, from yachts to catamarans. The film's antagonist, Andrei Sator, owns a 240-foot superyacht called 'Planet Nine', which serves as his lair and is described as a military-style vessel. Sator is also seen match-sailing F50 foiling catamarans, one of the fastest racing classes in the world, reaching speeds of up to 60 mph. The protagonist of the film, played by John David Washington, approaches Sator's superyacht in a 33-foot Riva Aquariva Super launch. The film also features a 50-foot sailing catamaran and a yellow-black ship. With so many boats featured in the film, it is worth exploring the potential symbolism and significance of these vessels in the context of the film's narrative and themes.

The F50 catamarans used in the film are one of the fastest racing classes in history

The F50 catamarans used in the film *Tenet* are one of the fastest racing classes in history. Adapted from the AC50s used in the America's Cup, the F50s are one-design foiling catamarans with modifications including new control systems and modular wingsails.

The F50s have a predicted top speed of 52.2 knots (96.6 km/h or 60 mph). However, the current F50 speed record is slightly higher, at 53.96 knots (99.94 km/h or 62.10 mph). This record was achieved by the France SailGP Team at the Range Rover France Sail Grand Prix in 2022.

The F50s are so fast that, during the filming of *Tenet*, the camera boat was unable to keep up and a helicopter had to be used to capture the racing sequences.

In the film, the F50 catamarans are used by the antagonist, Andrei Sator, for match-sailing. Sator's wife, played by Elizabeth Debicki, described her experience on the F50 as "exhilarating but quite terrifying".

The F50s used in the film were provided by the UK-based SailGP team, which oversees F50 racing. The boats belonged to the Japan and United States SailGP teams and were rebranded and painted white and blue respectively for the film.

The Planet Nine superyacht was designed to look like a military vessel

The yacht's exterior is not the only thing that makes it look like a military vessel. Its helipad, for example, has a 10-ton capacity, strong enough to support a 10-ton helicopter. Additionally, the yacht's crew was assigned to safeguard it from any potential damage during filming, with four members dedicated solely to this task.

The Planet Nine superyacht is just one of the many boats featured in the film Tenet, directed by Christopher Nolan. The film is known for its extensive use of boats and water-based scenes, with characters spending a significant amount of time on the water. In one scene, the protagonist speeds out to Planet Nine in a Riva 33 Aquariva Super launch to confront the villains.

In another memorable scene, Sator gets his kicks match-sailing his two state-of-the-art F50 foiling catamarans, which are one of the fastest racing classes in history. The F50s were provided by the UK-based SailGP team and reached speeds of over 58 mph, requiring the film crew to use a helicopter to keep up during filming.

The use of boats in Tenet extends beyond just providing a cool backdrop or facilitating action sequences. Some viewers have interpreted the frequent appearance of boats as a symbolic representation of the flow of time, with boats allowing characters to travel against the current, similar to the turnstile, a device used in the film to invert the flow of time.

The Riva 33 Aquariva Super launch is used by the protagonist to confront the villains

The Riva 33 Aquariva Super launch is used by the protagonist, played by John David Washington, to approach the villain's superyacht in the film Tenet. The sleek and gorgeous 33-foot Riva boat provides a striking contrast to the rugged and sinister 240-foot military-style superyacht, named 'Planet Nine', which serves as the lair of the movie's main antagonist, Andrei Sator.

In this pivotal scene, the Riva 33 Aquariva Super launch becomes a symbol of the protagonist's daring and determination as he speeds towards the confrontation with the villains. It adds a layer of excitement and visual appeal to the narrative, showcasing the protagonist's journey towards the climactic showdown.

The choice of the Riva 33 Aquariva Super launch as the protagonist's vessel is significant. Its elegant design and powerful presence on the water reflect the character's strength and resolve. The boat's sleek lines and stylish appearance stand in stark opposition to the rugged and imposing superyacht, emphasising the clash between the protagonist and the villain.

The Riva 33 Aquariva Super launch is not just a means of transportation but also becomes an extension of the protagonist's character. It symbolises his courage, resourcefulness, and unwavering commitment to his mission. As he navigates the boat through the waters, the audience is given a glimpse into his unwavering determination to confront the villains and thwart their plans.

The use of the Riva 33 Aquariva Super launch in this scene also adds to the overall aesthetic and visual appeal of the film. The boat's sleek design and elegant proportions create a striking visual contrast to the vast and imposing superyacht. This contrast not only enhances the tension and drama of the scene but also showcases the attention to detail and stylistic choices that characterise director Christopher Nolan's work.

The film features a 50-foot sailing catamaran

The film Tenet features a 50-foot sailing catamaran, which is used in one of the film's most breathtaking maritime action sequences. The catamaran is described as "so fast" that the director, Christopher Nolan, had to use a helicopter to shoot the racing sequences. One of the actors called the ride "exhilarating but quite terrifying".

The catamaran scene in Tenet is notable for its attempt to balance important exposition with immersive audio to capture the feeling of being on the boat. While the loud waves and music create a compelling auditory experience, the dialogue in this scene is difficult to hear, leading to strain and annoyance for viewers trying to follow the plot. This has prompted suggestions for hardcoded subtitles or alternative sound mixing to improve the scene's effectiveness in conveying crucial plot information.

The use of catamarans in this scene may be symbolic, as the crew has to shift from one side to the other to steer, reflecting the film's themes of reversal and opposing directions. The choice to set this crucial expositional scene on a catamaran has been described as "bizarre" and "clunky," as it prioritises style over clarity. However, others defend it as a "cool ass thing that rich people do," aligning with Nolan's tendency to favour the cinematic over the practical.

The catamaran scene also stands out for its sound design, with the loud waves and music often overwhelming the dialogue. This has been a point of contention for viewers, who struggle to understand the important plot information being conveyed. The scene's audio has been described as "iffy" and "poorly mixed", detracting from the overall impact of the scene.

In conclusion, the 50-foot sailing catamaran in Tenet plays a pivotal role in the film's narrative and action sequences. While the choice to set an exposition-heavy scene on a catamaran adds style and symbolism, it also creates challenges in terms of audio mixing and plot clarity, highlighting the delicate balance between cinematic flair and effective storytelling.

The yacht scenes were filmed on the Amalfi Coast in Italy

The yacht scenes in Tenet were filmed on the Amalfi Coast in Italy. The Amalfi Coast is one of Europe's most prestigious holiday destinations, with quaint villages dotted along the shore providing incredible backdrops.

The yacht scenes take place with the Planet Nine superyacht anchored off Ravello on the azure-blue waters of Italy's picturesque Amalfi Coast. The yacht's owner is said to be billionaire Nathaniel Rothschild, 49, of the Rothschild banking family. The yacht was built by the Italian yard Admiral Yachts in 2018 and is currently on the market for $100 million. It is also available for charter at up to $850,000 a week.

The yacht scenes were filmed in the small town of Ravello, where a restaurant is the setting for the first meeting between Sator and the Protagonist. The yacht scenes also feature the luxurious 240-foot-long (73-metre) Planet Nine, which has six decks, a jacuzzi, and its own helicopter landing pad.

The yacht scenes were carefully filmed to ensure that the yacht was not damaged during filming. Four members of the film crew were assigned to do nothing but safeguard the yacht from any dings and dents. When interior furniture had to be moved around, the job was assigned to the yacht's crew.

The Amalfi Coast provided the perfect backdrop for the yacht scenes, with its stunning azure-blue waters and picturesque villages. The yacht scenes added to the glamour and luxury of the film, with the yacht serving as the lair of the movie's Russian baddie, Andrei Sator, played by Kenneth Branagh.

Frequently asked questions