The only IMAX theatre in Catalonia, located in the Diagonal Mar shopping centre in Barcelona, has sold out all sessions of 'The Odyssey' until August 13. From August 5, it may be possible to find a few single seats, but availability is minimal.
Getting a ticket to see 'The Odyssey' in IMAX in Barcelona has become an almost impossible mission. The Cinesa Diagonal Mar theatre, the only one in all of Catalonia equipped with this projection system and with only 149 seats, has practically sold out all scheduled sessions until August 13. From the 5th, it becomes somewhat easier to find a free seat, although availability remains very limited.
The phenomenon has once again highlighted the cinematic experience offered by the IMAX format. In the case of 'The Odyssey', Christopher Nolan has conceived it as the first blockbuster in history filmed entirely with IMAX cameras in 70 mm, a format that provides a taller and more immersive image than conventional projections. For viewers in the province of Barcelona, watching it in IMAX means enjoying a larger portion of the original framing, something that cannot be achieved in conventional cinemas.
A very limited offer across Spain
The anticipation is not limited to Barcelona. Spain has only seven IMAX theatres, spread across Barcelona, Madrid, Zaragoza, Valencia, and Mallorca. A very limited offering for a film specifically designed for this projection system. Nolan has been betting on this technology for nearly two decades, since 'The Dark Knight' (2008), although until now he only used it in certain sequences. With 'The Odyssey', he has made the definitive leap and filmed it entirely with these cameras.
At Cinesa, which houses four of the seven IMAX theatres in Spain, they acknowledge that the premiere has met expectations. “We are very pleased with the reception. It is the first film in history filmed entirely with IMAX cameras, and we can offer the public the chance to see it as Christopher Nolan conceived it,” explains Ramon Biarnés, general director for Northern and Southern Europe of ODEON Cinemas Group, the company operating under the Cinesa brand.
The executive assures that public interest has translated into high occupancy since the premiere. “Our IMAX theatre in Diagonal Mar has filled multiple sessions, and we expected a great reception, as it was one of the most anticipated releases of the year,” he notes. Biarnés also points out that the promotion carried out by the cast, with actors like Tom Holland encouraging audiences to enjoy the film in IMAX, has helped to reinforce interest in this format.
IMAX or 70 mm: two different experiences
Although often used as synonyms, IMAX and 70 mm are not the same. Nolan's ideal version for viewing the film would be the 70 mm IMAX, a photochemical format that combines the gigantic vertical image of IMAX with film projection. However, only about 40 theatres worldwide have the necessary technology to project it this way, and none of them are located in Spain.
This forces Spanish audiences to choose between two distinct experiences. On one hand, the seven digital IMAX theatres preserve much of the framing designed by Nolan and offer an immersive experience thanks to their large screens and sound systems. On the other hand, four cinemas are screening 'The Odyssey' in conventional 70 mm, a format that maintains projection on celluloid and, while it takes better advantage of the image than a standard digital format, does not achieve the immersion of IMAX. For residents of the province of Barcelona, the closest option remains the Diagonal Mar theatre, which has already proven to be a magnet for film enthusiasts.
If you still don’t have a ticket and want to see 'The Odyssey' in IMAX, the recommendation is to keep an eye out for possible cancellations or new sessions. The Cinesa Diagonal Mar theatre remains the only option in Catalonia to enjoy this experience, and with current demand, any released seat disappears within minutes.
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