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Taiwan IMAX cinema faces second day of technical glitches during "Oppenheimer" screenings

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Ongoing story
  • Miramar Grandview IMAX in Taiwan experienced a second consecutive day of technical issues during screenings of the film "Oppenheimer."
  • Following a blackout on July 23, audiences on July 24 reported abnormal screen brightness and sound quality, with one viewer falling and requiring medical attention.
  • The cinema attributed the issues to a single-projector setup due to the previous night's incident, leading to audience complaints about inconsistent viewing experiences.

Miramar Grandview IMAX in Taiwan is facing renewed scrutiny after audiences reported further technical problems during screenings of Christopher Nolan's "Oppenheimer." This follows a significant projection failure the previous evening, raising concerns about the venue's reliability for the film, which is noted for its IMAX format.

The brightness difference was very noticeable, especially in the cave scene.

— Audience memberDescribing the perceived difference in screen brightness during an "Oppenheimer" screening at Miramar Grandview IMAX.

On July 23, a screening was halted due to a "large blue bar" flashing on screen, followed by a complete blackout. Approximately 400 audience members were evacuated from the theater due to a suspected air conditioning malfunction and the subsequent technical issue. The cinema had assured audiences that screenings would proceed as normal on July 24.

However, attendees of the July 24 special screenings reported issues with screen brightness, describing it as noticeably dimmer than usual, particularly in dark scenes. Some also noted a lack of the expected sonic impact from the film's sound design. Adding to the disruptions, there were reports of a flashlight being shone during the movie and medical personnel entering the theater, as one audience member reportedly fell and was taken for medical treatment.

The sound effects, which should be very impactful in "Oppenheimer," were clearly not felt with the same intensity.

— Audience memberCommenting on the perceived sound quality during an "Oppenheimer" screening at Miramar Grandview IMAX.

Cinema staff explained the brightness issue by stating that the theater was operating with a single projector instead of the usual dual-projector setup, a change necessitated by the previous night's incident. The sound quality concerns were referred to the projection department for further review. These explanations have led to audience dissatisfaction, with many questioning why such issues and adjustments were not communicated in advance, leading to varied and potentially compromised viewing experiences for patrons who paid for the same ticket.

The screen was dimmer than usual. It was only using a single projector because of last night's accident.

— Cinema staff memberExplaining the reduced screen brightness during an "Oppenheimer" screening at Miramar Grandview IMAX.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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