The Resurgence of 65mm & IMAX 15/70

Abstract

Since the inception of cinema, the medium has progressed and transitioned into various form factors, from its standardization of 35mm in the 20th century to its multifaceted aesthetic of the current generation. This thesis aims to study the niche yet extravagant format of 65mm & 65mm 15 perf. The objective is to study its inception, constituting its political and commercial factors to its artistic recognition, It further delves into the advancement that led to the pivotal changes that are household mediums of how the society views and consumes today’s cinema. It uses the comparison models of how various companies and institutions contributed to technological advancement while portraying this form factor and the eventual decline in its use. Recent years have shown a steady yet promising resurgence in the use of these mediums, because of certain filmmakers and institutions portraying their pioneering work and drastically uplifting the public and commercial perceptions. Case studies of notable filmmakers, such as Christopher Nolan, Quentin Tarantino, and Hoyte Van Hoytema who have embraced this format and further modified it, are presented to illustrate the practical implementation of these advancements. The current era is filled with this medium`s apparatus use and has led to innovations, advancing its logistical prowess, and futureproofing the cinematic emblem of this format. I will determine with historical facts, commercial trends, and the current stylizations that led to the renaissance of this medium, delivering a promising future far away from its bleak decline a few years ago.