Universal Pictures has released the first look of Cillian Murphy as J. Robert Oppenheimer starring in the next big film, ‘Oppenheimer’ which is directed by Christopher Nolan. According to resources, this is the first film that will be shot on black and white IMAX cameras. But what does it really mean?
‘Oppenheimer’: The next IMAX masterpiece
The next IMAX masterpiece is Cristopher Nolan’s ‘Oppenheimer’ which tells the story of American scientist J. Robert Oppenheimer and his role in the development of the atomic bomb. Unfortunately, as a footnote, this item is very much politically relevant to the current threat by Putin. Oppenheimer has called himself, “Destroyer of Worlds” and that quote will be defiantly implemented in the movie. Watch it below:
Shot by Hoytema
‘Oppenheimer’ is being shot by the IMAX cinematographer and Nolan’s cinematic partner, Hoyte van Hoytema. We’ve already reported that (Read: Nolan & Hoyte Will Work Together on Nolan’s Next Big Project: “Oppenheimer”, That Will be Shot on 65mm Film (Obviously)). This will be Christopher Nolan’s second film related to World War II events following Dunkirk (2017), and fourth collaboration with cinematographer Hoyte van Hoytema following Interstellar (2014), Dunkirk (2017), and Tenet (2020). Furthermore, Oppenheimer will be Christopher Nolan’s sixth film to be shot on IMAX film cameras following The Dark Knight (2008), The Dark Knight Rises (2012), Interstellar (2014), Dunkirk (2017), and Tenet (2020). However, in order to strengthen the historic impact, some of the scenes will be shot in black and white.
B&W IMAX analogue camera
According to IndieWire, for the first time, a black and white IMAX camera will be used for multiple different scenes. IndieWire states that “Oppenheimer” will be shot on a combination of IMAX 65mm and 65mm large-format film photography including, for the first time ever, sections in IMAX black and white analog photography. IndieWire came to that conclusion due to the B&W picture/poster released by the studios. However, as we have investigated that further, that fact is not completely true. B&W IMAX was used before on shooting the famous HELLO music clip by Adele back in 2015.
This was the first music video ever to be filmed with IMAX cameras, and it presented some black and white sequences. If so, Kodak has manufactured a specially made B&W 65mm film stock before. Here’s the clip:
Closing thoughts
There’s no dedicated B&W IMAX camera. It’s the same MSM 9802 model. Explore the leaked BTS of ‘Oppenheimer’ below. You can clearly see Hoytema near the IMAX MSM 9802.
Nevertheless, an especially made B&W 65mm film stock was manufactured per Nolan’s request (you can’t buy a 65mm B&W film stock). These are our two cents. Anyway, we are sure it’ll look gorgeous. We’ll keep you posted on the progress of that mega anticipated film. Stay tuned.
I love the article! But I would say that Adele’s Music video was not in 65MM B&W for IMAX. In the technical specifications, it lists 65 mm(Kodak Vision3 200T 5213, Vision3 500T 5219) being used. So probably just post-converted.
There is no such thing as a B&W film camera. The film camera, unlike a digital camera, is not a part of the post-exposure image-making process. Outside of possibly adjusting the race, the pressure plate, and pull-down claws of the film movie camera movement to accommodate the thickness of the film, the camera does not know or care if the image is a positive, a negative, B&W, or color.
From what has been stated by Kodak and Hoyte van Hoytema, Kodak has never made a B&W film for 65mm film. While Kodak makes all its film products on rolls 54″ wide and then slits that roll into 8mm, 16mm, 35mm, 65mm, and 70mm widths, it had not made 65mm out of its DoubleX B&EW stock before. It required engineering between Kodak and IMAX to see if they could make such a film to run through the 15/70mm IMAX camera. They succeeded.