Prior to last Friday, the concept of watching a movie incorrectly may not have crossed your mind.
However, with the release of Christopher Nolan’s film, “The Odyssey,” discussions flooded the internet regarding the optimal way to view the movie, which is inspired by Homer’s epic tale of a man’s lengthy journey home after the Trojan War.
The buzz stems from the filmmaker’s choice to film the entire movie using Imax 70-mm film cameras, the largest format available.
Consequently, the visual experience of the movie may vary depending on the theater in which it is screened.
With promotional material featuring actor Matt Damon encouraging audiences to view “The Odyssey” in Imax 70-mm, one faction online asserts that this is how Nolan intended his film to be seen.
On the flip side, another online faction is harshly criticizing Nolan for this decision.
There are only nine theaters in Canada where “The Odyssey” can be viewed in Imax 70-mm:
- Calgary — Scotiabank Theatre Chinook
- Edmonton — Scotiabank Theatre Edmonton
- Regina — Kramer Imax, Saskatchewan Science Centre
- Toronto — Cineplex Cinemas Mississauga Square One
- Toronto — Cineplex Cinemas Vaughan
- Vancouver — Cineplex Cinemas Langley
- Halifax — Cineplex Theatres Bayer Lake 18
- Richmond, B.C. — SilverCity Riverport Cinemas
- Montreal — Cinéma Banque Scotia Montreal
One might wonder why a filmmaker would create a movie that can only be fully appreciated in its “ideal form” at a limited number of theaters globally.
According to Leslie-Ann Coles, co-founder and executive director of the Female Eye Film Festival in Toronto, Nolan aims to encourage intentional movie-watching experiences and uphold the tradition of cinema in theaters.
Audiences Travel Far to Imax Theaters
When asked if Nolan truly intended his film to be viewed in a specific format, his publicist did not respond to CBC News.
Nonetheless, this silence has not deterred a significant number of individuals from making journeys to their nearest Imax theaters.
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 20% of the global debut sales of “The Odyssey,” generating $52 million US in revenue.
The immense anticipation led Imax to release tickets for some 70-mm showtimes a full year in advance, with theaters even scheduling midnight and 3 a.m. screenings — all of which sold out.
Typically, watching a film on an Imax screen costs around $10 more than at a standard theater. Additional expenses for