'F you, Nolan': People can't see The Odyssey when they desperately want to

My 19 year old filmmaker son has declared that he “hates Christoper Nolan” and thinks he's “betrayed” his audience.

When I first heard his rant, I thought it was a bit harsh. I mean, it's the great Christopher Nolan, of The Dark Knight and Oppenheimer fame, after all. Surely he knows what he's doing?

Apparently, that's the problem.

Nolan's new movie The Odyssey has been released exclusively in IMAX cinemas - which to me sounds a bit discriminatory, anyway, before we even look closer at the collective internet's complaints.

Because, those IMAX tickets are pricey - starting at approximately $38 - $40 each.

Of course, it's a free country, and people can watch the epic in a normal cinema, right?

Wrong, according to not just my son, but people everywhere desperate to see the film.

You see, there are two problems:

1. Any sort of ticket to The Odyssey is extremely difficult to buy, as many sessions were sold out up to a year ago.

But that's mostly because:

2. Nolan filmed the movie in a special way, using IMAX 70mm film, so that there's actually only one cinema screen in Australia that can give you the full viewing experience as God/Nolan intended.

It's a MAJOR flex, as can be seen in the below Instagram post about the screen difference, which is captioned:

"If you want to watch ‘The Odyssey’ exactly how Christopher Nolan intended, there’s only one cinema in Australia that can do it.

"IMAX Melbourne is one of just 41 cinemas worldwide equipped to screen the film in IMAX 70mm, the same format Nolan used to shoot it. That means the full 1.43:1 image, more picture on screen, and the most immersive version of the movie possible.

"Sydney’s newer IMAX may be the latest in the country, but it uses digital laser projection rather than the 15/70 film projector needed for IMAX 70mm. The screen sizes are different too, which is part of why it can’t show the film in its full-format presentation.

“Looks like Melbourne just became the ultimate destination for Nolan fans. Sessions for the next few weeks are completely booked out, so good luck!”

Woah. Nice way to rub it in, people.

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Complex Australia (@complex_au) 

There are countless social media posts pointing out the difference in the viewing experience - the above post is just one of thousands.

Many of them are not positive, mentioning that they feel ripped off.

Even my own kid wrote in one of his stories, “Way to go, fuck you Nolan.” (Could he respond more Aussie?)

Undoubtedly, Nolan knew what he was doing, which is  why his deliberate decision to essentially ‘exclude’ his adoring fans has been met with viral outrage.

To be fair, movie-making at this scale is a money-making exercise; not for the fans. People have retirements to think of.

And the more attention and exclusivity, the better, right? 

Well-played, Nolan. 

You line your pockets, and I'll be here, listening to my son's rants about your movie and your betrayal to lovers of film, and lovers of your work.