Jazz Chhabra took a day off from work to spend it in Vaughan.
To some, that might seem like an odd choice for a day trip. But for movie lovers, it’s one of the few spots in Canada that shows films in Imax 70-mm format.
This format is known for being the best quality you can get, presenting the full picture without cropping anything to fit a standard screen.
The desire to see Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey-released on July 17-in this format has created quite a buzz among film enthusiasts.
Chhabra was one of those fans, but his Friday plans were dashed when Cineplex Cinemas Vaughan announced that the projector meant for the 70-mm Imax experience was out of order.
“I took the day off of work for this, and I convinced my family to also take the day off of work, only for us to get here and to be told that the Imax projector was broken,” he said, standing outside the theatre doors.
WATCH | Fans flock to catch The Odyssey in Imax 70-mm format:
Fans flock to Regina as The Odyssey hits one of 41 70mm IMAX theatres
After purchasing tickets over a year ago, Christopher Nolan fans finally got to see his new movie The Odyssey at the Kramer IMAX Theatre in Regina on Thursday. This theatre in Saskatchewan Science Centre is one of just 41 worldwide capable of screening films on 70-millimetre IMAX film.
Chhabra, who had bought tickets weeks back with his family, said they were offered a refund and a movie voucher but no alternative ticket for their canceled showtime.
“Now we’re going to have to scour the internet and find another screening,” he said.
In an emailed statement on Friday, Michelle Saba, spokesperson for Cineplex, confirmed that the Imax projector was down in Vaughan.
“IMAX is in the process of getting it repaired asap today,” she stated while mentioning that tickets are currently available up until August 20.
Janine Marchessault, a cinema and media arts professor at York University, noted that tech issues like these aren’t unusual since they deal with real celluloid film.
“When you’re dealing with celluloid, these things happen,” she explained, adding that problems such as film getting stuck or breaking aren’t uncommon.
“This is a unique event that you’re going to with specially trained projectionists along with massive projectors and screens.” Tickets reselling for double face-value cost
Aside from Vaughan theatre , Cineplex Cinemas Mississauga located at Square One Mall stands as another venue able to screen this film using Imax 70-mm format.
However , accordingto Cineplex website , both theatres have mostly sold out their ticketsfor thenext month.
The surgein demand has ledto frustration online , with some users takingto social media platforms like Instagramtoshare stories aboutticketsbeingresoldat significant markups.
WATCH | Odyssey tickets sell out a year in advance:
Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey sells out 70 mm Imax screeningsa yearinadvance
The movie will be shownin Imax74mmformat across26theatresglobally includingthe Kramer IMAXtheatreinthe Science Centrein Regina.
On Facebook Marketplace , an Imax70-mmticketfor Mississaugatheatrewas listedforsaleat$70-more thandoubleitsfacevaluewhichisaround$30on Cineplexwebsite.
On e Bay , two “centre seats” foran August20showingatthe Vaughanlocationwereavailableforsalefor$200accordingtothelisting.
When asked if he’d considerbuyingresale tickets , Chhabracalledtheprices “crazy”andsaidhewouldn’t goforit.
Bijan Amirkhaniwhoalsohadplans tocatchthefilm Fridaycalledcancellationofthe showtimea “travesty.”
“Itwasveryimportantformeotseeitin70millimetres; it’slikethe pinnacleof Imaxvisuals,”hesaid.
A professor Marchessault who secured herticketforthe August71screeningnotedthatthisdemandformovieslike The Odysseyindicatesyoungfilmenthusiastsrecognizeimportanceofcinemaexperience.
Auniqueformatlikea70mmfilmencouragespeoplebackintotheatres, sheexplained.
“The image itselfisjustabsolutelystupendousandspectacular.”
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