Christopher Nolan fans are making the voyage to see the award-winning director’s new movie The Odyssey at the Kramer IMAX Theatre in Regina, Saskatchewan. The theatre in the Saskatchewan Science Centre is one of just 41 in the world that can show the movie on 70-millimetre IMAX film, making it a destination for film enthusiasts from across the country. Tickets for the first four showings of the film went on sale more than a year ago, and they sold out the first weekend they were available. The demand reflects the enduring popularity of Nolan’s work and the appeal of seeing his films in the format they were intended to be experienced.
Ryan Holota, the COO of the Science Centre, said the theatre has been welcoming visitors who have been planning their trips for a very long time. “A lot of the people that are arriving have been planning this for a very long time and we’re really excited to welcome them,” Holota said. The theatre has become a pilgrimage site for Nolan fans, who are willing to travel long distances to see the film in the 70mm IMAX format. The experience of seeing a Nolan film on 70mm IMAX is widely regarded as one of the best ways to experience his work, with the large format providing an immersive and visually stunning experience.
Trenton Blum drove from North Battleford to see the first showing of The Odyssey in Regina. “How often can you be at an IMAX premiere in your home province? That’s one of the coolest things that I can say I did today,” Blum said. Blum said he was blown away by the movie, describing it as “one of his best works” and expressing excitement about what others will think when they get to see it. The enthusiasm of fans like Blum reflects the deep connection that audiences have with Nolan’s films and the importance of the theatrical experience in an era of streaming and home viewing.
