Gen Z Criticizes Nolan's 'The Odyssey' IMAX 70mm as Elitist
Christopher Nolan's adaptation of Homer's 'The Odyssey' is the first major Hollywood feature shot entirely with IMAX film cameras, but its exclusive IMAX 70mm format has sparked backlash from Gen Z viewers who call it elitist. Only 41 theaters worldwide can project the 70mm film, creating an economic and geographic divide. Social media users argue that audiences without access to premium screenings see a cropped version with fewer details, with one viral post stating 'The Odyssey is a movie where poor people literally see less.' IMAX CEO Richard Gelfond told Variety that adding more 70mm screens is difficult because no new IMAX film projectors have been made in about 50 years. The debate highlights class and access issues in cinema.
Key facts
- Christopher Nolan's 'The Odyssey' is the first major Hollywood feature shot entirely with IMAX film cameras.
- Only 41 theaters worldwide can show the IMAX 70mm format.
- Gen Z viewers criticize the format as elitist and inaccessible.
- A viral post by @arkavx amassed over 26 million views on X.
- IMAX CEO Richard Gelfond told Variety that no new IMAX film projectors have been made in about 50 years.
- IMAX Melbourne is the only cinema in the Southern Hemisphere showing the 15-perforation 70mm film.
- Digital IMAX screens have a 1.90:1 aspect ratio, while IMAX 70mm offers 1.43:1.
- The debate centers on economic and geographic disparities in accessing Nolan's intended viewing experience.
Entities
Artists
Institutions
- IMAX
- Variety
- PetaPixel
- IMAX Melbourne
Locations
- Melbourne
- Australia