Two weeks after its release, Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey” continues to draw huge audiences around the world—and getting the perfect viewing experience has some film buffs embarking on an epic journey of their own. Nolan’s adaptation of Homer’s classic poem is the first movie shot entirely with 70-millimetre Imax cameras, a format only a few dozen theatres around the world are equipped to project on actual film. Two of them are in B.C.’s Lower Mainland, at the Cineplex theatres in Richmond and Langley, and the crowds have been showing up at both in droves. Hanz Ying, general manager of the Langley multiplex, said the hype surrounding “The Odyssey” is unlike anything he’s seen in his five years at the theatre. “It’s an event,” Ying said. “We have families that came in from Hawaii just to watch this film.” Local cinephiles have also been swept up in the buzz, in some cases driving across Metro Vancouver—passing several other theatres running the film along the way—for the experience. While a number of local multiplexes may have Imax screens or 70 mm projectors, the Richmond and Langley theatres are the only ones in B.C. with both. Projecting the 172-minute blockbuster on film, as opposed to digitally, is something of a herculean task as well. The film strip stretches approximately 16 kilometres and weighs about 363 kilograms, taking around eight hours to put together upon delivery. “The print arrives in three giant pieces,” said projectionist Melissa McCarthy. “So it has to be assembled into one basically large reel in the platter system.” Fans insistent on that 70 mm Imax experience may need some patience, however, as many showings—including on weekday mornings—are booking up early. Leaving it to the last minute means “you’re mostly looking at front-row seats,” Ying said. Both the 7 p.m. and 11 p.m. Friday shows in Langley were close to sold out by the early afternoon. Demand for “The Odyssey” has been so strong, its Imax run has already been extended through Sept. 16—and if audiences keep showing up, the film could stay on those special screens even longer. With files from CTV News Vancouver’s Kevin Charach
