Vincent has never left the US. Three hours in Australia are about to change that

Vincent Simmons has never left the United States before. But in a few days, he’ll board a 15-hour flight to Melbourne, Australia, marking the first time he will step foot beyond American soil. His destination is not for leisure or adventure, but for cinema. A 35-year-old projectionist based in Los Angeles, Simmons has spent nearly $4,000 on flights and accommodations for a three-week trip, all to witness The Odyssey, the latest film from Oscar-winning director Christopher Nolan, which premiered in Australia on 16 July. He plans to see the film twice in Melbourne, in addition to a screening back home in Los Angeles before departing. Simmons has been fascinated by the Melbourne IMAX for years, spending countless hours watching YouTube videos showcasing even the smallest glimpses of its grandeur. “I’ve heard about the IMAX in Melbourne for years, I’ve probably watched every YouTube video that shows even a sliver of it,” he tells SBS News. “I told myself I’d go one day.” For him, the 70mm IMAX format represents the pinnacle of cinematic immersion. “70mm IMAX offers hands down the greatest sensory engrossment you could possibly have when watching a film,” he explains. “It’s the closest sense of lifelike fidelity, a transcendent film format that everyone should experience at least once in their life.” The Melbourne IMAX is unique in several ways. It is one of only 41 theaters worldwide equipped to project true IMAX 70mm film, the largest film stock in existence. The screen measures 32 meters wide and 23 meters tall, with an aspect ratio of 1.43:1, making it the largest of its kind globally. This setup allows the film to be shown exactly as Christopher Nolan envisioned, a detail that draws audiences from around the world. Jeremy Fee, general manager at IMAX Melbourne, confirms that the theater is the only venue in the Southern Hemisphere where The Odyssey can be screened in this format. “This is the only place in Australia, in the southern hemisphere, that you can see it in the way that Christopher Nolan intended,” Fee says. Only seven of these specialized IMAX theaters exist outside of North America, highlighting the rarity of such venues. The physical demands of the 70mm format are equally impressive. A single print of The Odyssey laid out end to end would stretch over 17 kilometers. Each reel of film runs on platters large enough to accommodate three hours of playback, just eight minutes longer than the film’s actual runtime of two hours and 52 minutes. To ensure the highest quality, each screening requires meticulous quality control checks. Only five individuals in Australia are currently certified to handle the 70mm film reels, underscoring the technical expertise required. The demand for these screenings has led to a surge in international travelers. At the Melbourne IMAX’s opening weekend, queues were long, with many attendees having traveled great distances to attend. Kaivalya, a 28-year-old PhD student from Maharashtra, India, is among them. He had planned to relocate to Melbourne but accelerated his move by a month to secure a spot for the early screening. “It’s not the first time cinema has drawn people across continents,” notes the article, hinting at the enduring allure of immersive film experiences. As the world watches The Odyssey unfold on its massive screen, the journey of those who travel to see it reflects a broader cultural fascination with the art of filmmaking. For Vincent Simmons, the trip is more than a simple vacation, it is an odyssey of his own, driven by a passion for cinema and a desire to experience the work of a visionary director in the most authentic way possible.