Christopher Nolan’s highly anticipated film “The Odyssey” is drawing thousands of Europeans to Prague, not just for the movie itself, but for a rare viewing experience on a 70 mm IMAX screen. Prague is one of the few cities worldwide and one of only three in the European Union with a cinema equipped to show films in this coveted format.
The Cinema City in Prague offers four to five screenings daily, with many showing sold out, to accommodate the influx of moviegoers. By Monday, 22,000 visitors from approximately 15 European countries, stretching from Scandinavia to Spain, had come to Prague specifically to see “The Odyssey” in 70 mm IMAX. This presentation format is Nolan’s preferred choice, which he describes as offering the “best possible experience.”
For many, the journey is a significant undertaking. Daniel Jung drove with his two teenage sons, Felix and Leo, from Norway, traveling through Denmark and Germany over three days solely to witness the film in this format. "It completely changed my experience about the movie," said Nicolas Walak from Poland, who had previously seen the film on a standard screen before traveling to Prague.
Leo, one of Jung's sons, had been monitoring Cinema City’s communications for half a year leading up to the film’s July 16 premiere. He was able to secure tickets immediately upon their release. "We were in the 11th row, right in the middle. We had the very best seats,” Leo said, emphasizing that the effort was “absolutely worth it.” He described the scale of the IMAX screen as immense compared to those in Norway, stating, “I will always remember this experience.”
The production and exhibition of films in 70 mm IMAX are challenging due to costs and technical requirements. The IMAX cameras are substantial, and quieter versions were developed specifically for productions like “The Odyssey.” The film prints themselves are massive, weighing around 300 kilograms (661 pounds) and spanning 18 kilometers (11 miles), necessitating delivery in sections. Both the film and the projector require a climate-controlled environment, and projectionists must be certified by IMAX.
The Prague cinema has maintained its original analog IMAX projector, a decision made around 2008 when many theaters were transitioning to digital equipment. Initially set aside, the projector was brought back into service in 2012 for Nolan’s “The Dark Knight Rises” and has since screened other Nolan films, including “Interstellar” in 2014 and “Oppenheimer” three years ago. The continued availability of this equipment is credited to a predecessor who preserved it.