Bengaluru theatre to host first of its kind ‘audience discussion’ on Christopher Nolan’s ‘Oppenheimer’

In an exclusive interview with South First, LC Kushal, co-owner of Victory Cinema, shared his thoughts behind holding the discussion on the most-awaited release of Oppenheimer.

A forum for like-minded

Christopher Nolan’s ‘Oppenheimer’ is releasing on 21 July. (Supplied)

Kushal says that the main reason behind setting up the discussion is because the audience who watch Christopher Nolan’s work is different from the conventional filmgoers.

“We want people to know that there is a forum for them to come and express their thoughts about Nolan’s work. This will lead to like-minded people getting together and befriend each other.”

He adds, “Also, we are not incurring any loss to promote anything of any kind as the discussion is being held just before the first show of the day. It will only create awareness about Oppenheimer.”

Besides entry, the parking facility too is free for anyone interested to participate in the discussion.

About the turnout, Kushal remarks, “If we witness participants coming in huge numbers, we may make it from 8.45 AM to 9.45 AM on the last day. But it all depends on the audience’s response.”

Unlike other movie-based discussions, the organisers want the discussion to be more of a thought-sharing forum where participants can share each other’s views rather than just involving any expertise and a moderator and then answering the questions, the co-owner of Victory Cinema explains.

Not everybody goes to movies for ‘timepass’. See you there. @OppenheimerFilm #Oppenheimer pic.twitter.com/WexRcscTYi

— VICTORY CINEMA (@Victory_Cinema) July 16, 2023

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Best way to watch Oppenheimer

Team ‘Oppenheimer’. (Supplied)

With Nolan’s atomic-bomb biopic nearing its release, a lot has been discussed about the best way to watch the film for the best possible experience.

Wondering why all the fuss? It is because, according to the maker, the movie is designed for IMAX 70 MM specific and it will expand images up to a 1.43:1 aspect ratio.

So, do we have such compatible cinema? A leading exhibitor in Bengaluru notes that there are very few IMAX 70 MM-compatible screens in India.

“Almost 90-95 percent of cinema halls in India are cinemascope and only a few are IMAX-compatible. Unfortunately, they are usually not configured and maintained properly. At times, the brightness settings are either too high or low,” he points out.

If not IMAX in ratio, the movies can be screened in flat format on a cinemascope. But then, either side of the screen would go blank.

Hence, the exhibitors recommend watching Oppenheimer in theatres with cinemascope that are compatible, but with the best sound and picture quality. If not simply fly to Dubai or the US.

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Maintenance is vital

An open discussion on ‘Oppenheimer’ will be held at Victory Cinema. (Supplied)

Kushal observes that maintenance is a vital factor along with other facilities at any theatre.

“The big screens where the movies are projected usually get dirty soon. They need to be cleaned often; this needs to be done carefully and under an expert’s supervision. The lens and other parts too need to be cleaned often,” Kushal says.

He adds that he constantly checks whether the operator cleans the lens and the glasses that the movie is projected through are cleaned properly after every show. “It is a huge task to run and maintain a cinema hall,” he asserts.

Victory Cinema has recently been ranked number one for outstanding sound and picture quality by Bengaluru film lovers.

The exhibitor challenges the moviegoers to experience it by themselves rather than going just by the ranking of their theatre.

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IMAX is a presentation challenge

Cicilian Murphy in ‘Oppenheimer’. (Supplied)

Further, Kushal informs that he received several emails from filmgoers who were amazed by the movie-watching experience at Victory Cinema.

“First, they watched a film at the IMAX-compatible cinema. Later, they watched it in our theatre. IMAX is a presentation challenge and has to be screened precisely with the best configuration and settings. Thereafter, it has to be periodically maintained and looked after,” he quips.

Getting back to the Oppenheimer “audience discussion”, Kushal remarks that he has also been getting a lot of requests to reschedule the timing and date since many cannot attend due to work schedules.

“We are planning to have it on social platforms. Whether or not there is a good number of participants, we will still have it for all three days,” he signs off.

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