Prior to last Friday, the notion of a correct way to view a film probably did not cross your mind.
However, with the release of Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey, discussions on the optimal method to experience the movie have ignited across the internet. The film is based on Homer’s epic tale of a man embarking on a ten-year journey to return home after participating in the Trojan War.
The buzz stems from the acclaimed director’s choice to film the entire project using IMAX 70 mm film cameras, the most expansive format available.
Consequently, the visual presentation of the movie may vary depending on the type of theater in which it is viewed.
When actor Matt Damon endorsed audiences to “experience The Odyssey in IMAX 70 mm,” a faction of online commentators concluded that this is how Nolan intended the film to be seen, while another segment criticized the decision.
Questions have been raised about a filmmaker creating a movie that can only be viewed in its “ideal form” at 41 theaters worldwide, with merely nine located in Canada.
Leslie-Ann Coles, co-founder and executive director of the Toronto-based Female Eye Film Festival, commended Nolan for urging moviegoers to be deliberate in their cinematic choices. She praised Nolan’s use of oversized IMAX cameras, stating, “Kudos to him. Let’s preserve the theatrical experience in cinemas.”
Audiences Travel to IMAX Theaters
When CBC News inquired whether Nolan indeed intended his film to be seen in a specific format, his publicist did not respond.
Nevertheless, this ambiguity has not deterred numerous individuals from making trips to the nearest IMAX theater.
The movie will be screened in the 70 mm Imax format in 26 theaters worldwide, including the Kramer Imax theater in Regina’s science center.
IMAX reported that its theaters contributed a significant 20% share to the global debut of The Odyssey, generating $52 million US in revenue.
Due to overwhelming demand, IMAX released tickets for some 70 mm showtimes a full year in advance, including midnight and 3 a.m. screenings, all of which sold out.
On average, the cost of viewing a film on an IMAX screen is approximately $10 higher than at a standard theater. Additionally, transportation expenses to reach the nearest IMAX theater can further increase costs, creating frustration for some individuals.
For others, the additional expense is deemed unnecessary.
Visual Extravaganza vs. Accessibility
Viewing this specific film in an IMAX 70 mm theater will enable viewers to “experience the full impact of how it was filmed, allowing you to immerse yourself in The Odyssey with all of us,” Damon emphasized in the film’s promotion.
While this may offer an exceptional viewing experience, it remains unfeasible for Jamesie Fournier