Key facts
- Fans traveled from the US and Switzerland to attend the premiere of Christopher Nolan's 'The Odyssey' at London's BFI Imax.
- The film is being shown in the highest-resolution film format, Imax 1570, and was shot entirely on 1570 cameras.
- Box office predictions estimate the film could gross $80 million to $100 million on its opening weekend in North America.
- Tickets for screenings at the BFI Imax are sold out until early August, with some resale tickets listed for over £500.
Fans of director Christopher Nolan traveled from across the globe to attend the premiere of his latest film, 'The Odyssey,' at London's BFI Imax. Christian Campbell, a 22-year-old film graduate, journeyed over 4,000 miles from Atlanta, Georgia, to London for the midnight showing, marking his first trip outside the US. He, along with many others, secured tickets a year in advance.
The BFI Imax is one of the few venues globally capable of showing 'The Odyssey' in its intended Imax 1570 format, the highest-resolution film format available. Nolan collaborated with Imax to develop soundproofing for the cameras, allowing dialogue to be recorded directly during filming for the first time. The film boasts a substantial $250 million budget and is projected to earn between $80 million and $100 million in its opening weekend in North America.
Attendees expressed high anticipation and admiration for Nolan's work. Marco Garbely, from Switzerland, noted the high standards fans have for Nolan's films, but his concerns were eased by the film's strong debut reviews, including a five-star rating from The Guardian. Some fans, like Garbely, also discussed the controversy surrounding Lupita Nyong'o's casting as Helen, with Garbely stating that such criticisms were misplaced given the mythical nature of the story.
Other fans, such as Julian Jäger, highlighted Nolan's impact on their understanding of cinema since childhood. Rachana Mettem, a student, integrated the screening into a larger tour of the UK and Ireland. Walee Ahmed, a data analyst, embraced the cinematic experience by wearing a helmet. Tickets for the BFI Imax screenings are sold out until early August, and some resale tickets have appeared on eBay for over £500.