Exploreum programs IMAX® film on Greece to show with Pompeii exhibit
MOBILE, Ala. –Mobile’s Gulf Coast Exploreum will feature the IMAX film, GREECE: SECRETS OF THE PAST, January 12 to June 3, 2007. The film takes audiences on a sweeping archeological journey back in time to uncover the buried secrets of one of the world’s most enlightened societies – ancient Greece during the Golden Age, from 500 BC to 400 BC.
“We could not have found a more perfect complement to our exhibit on Pompeii and Imperial Rome,” noted Michael Sullivan, Exploreum Executive Director. GREECE will run concurrently in the Exploreum’s IMAX® DOME Theater with the exhibition A Day in Pompeii.
“By teaming GREECE and Pompeii -- the IMAX film and the exhibition -- the Exploreum offers audiences a rare “one-stop” look into two of the ancient world’s most enlightened societies,” added Sullivan. Both the film and the exhibit also explore the impact on history of two different but equally devastating volcanic eruptions – on the Greek island of Santorini and at Pompeii.
“Because ancient Greece is where many of our own ideas about democracy and freedom were first born, it is more important to us than ever,” notes GREECE director Greg MacGillivray, a two-time Academy Award®-nominated pioneer in large-format filmmaking. “Our film is like a form of time travel – we go back to figure out what happened and why. I hope the film leaves audiences with a sense of the profound lessons the classical Greeks left behind for today’s world.”
One of the first stops on the journey is the world-famous island chain of Santorini – buried in 1646 BC by one of the most powerful volcanic eruptions in known history. Here, a visceral CGI-enhanced sequence takes audiences directly into volcanic pyroclastic flows, which carried a force equivalent to 80 atomic bombs, burying Santorini under deep layers of magma and ash. Intriguing riddles from the area are also explored including whether Santorini actually could have been the idyllic island of Atlantis of which the philosopher Plato wrote?
GREECE brings to life ancient Greece’s most celebrated symbol of wealth, power and democratic ideals: the Parthenon, erected in 447 BC to honor the goddess of wisdom, Athena. With groundbreaking computer modeling based on in-depth historical research, the film recreates what the Parthenon would have looked like in all its glory. Audiences will get an extraordinary chance to explore the awe-inspiring monument as it has never been seen before – including a glimpse at the long-lost 42-foot tall ivory and gold statue of Athena that once towered inside its walls.
Greece opened to rave reviews in spring 2006. “We held back booking this extraordinary film until 2007 because we wanted to pair it with the exhibition on Pompeii and double our visitor’s ancient world’s adventures”, said Sullivan. Visitors to the Pompeii exhibition can add a ticket to IMAX GREECE for only $4 more.
For more information about the film, check out www.greecefilm.com. For more information on the Gulf Coast Exploreum and the exhibit on Pompeii call 251-208-6873 or check out our website, www.exploreum.net.
Hours of Operation
The Gulf Coast Explopreum is open daily January 12 to June 3, 2007 except Mardi Gras (Feb. 20) and Easter Sunday (Apr. 8). Open Monday – Saturday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Last exhibit entry 4 p.m.; gallery closes 5:30 p.m.
Last IMAX show 4 p.m.
Last Virtual Journey Tour of Pompeii 4:30 p.m.
Ticket Prices: For Pompeii exhibit, Acoustiguide audio tour, virtual tour of Pompeii and all Exploreum science galleries: adult $18.25; senior (60+); youth (13-18) $17.25; child (2-12) $11. Add the IMAX film on Greece to any admission for only $4 more.
For more information, call (251) 208-6873 or (877) 625-4FUN; or visit www.exploreum.net.
