The Magic and Wonder of ARABIA Come to Life at Discovery Place’s IMAX® Dome Theatre

Experience the extraordinary culture, history and humanity of the Arabian peninsula

January 26, 2011

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A land steeped in mystery and myth is revealed in stunning dimensions in MacGillivray Freeman’s adventure ARABIA, which debuts January 29, 2011 at The Charlotte Observer IMAX Dome Theatre at Discovery Place. The film tells the story of an extreme desert environment that — through its people’s thirst for knowledge, the riches of global trade and a deep devotion to faith — has become one of the most powerful yet least understood, regions on Earth.

This kaleidoscopic portrait of Arabia delves into the storied past and yet-to-be-seen future of the region through a mix of contemporary images, historical recreations of ancient civilizations, and digital visual effects. Theatre-goers can ride the dunes with a camel caravan, dive into the treasure-laden Red Sea, explore the ruins of a towering lost city, travel back to the Islamic golden age of invention, join three million Muslims on the Hajj pilgrimage, all while getting to know the young Arabians transforming tomorrow’s world. The result is a surprising and illuminating journey that not only unveils an oft-hidden world of discovery — but also serves as a bridge between two cultures that have long misunderstood one another.

The story of ARABIA spans 2,000 years of history but is told by three vibrant, modern-day Arabian citizens, each invested in learning more about their history and culture. The film’s real-life guides are Hamzah Jamjoom, a Saudi Arabian film student at Chicago’s De Paul University who returns home to make a film about his heritage; Nimah Nawwab, a writer, poet and photographer who provides a young woman’s perspective on Arabia; and leading Arabian archaeologist Dr. Daifallah Al-Talhi, who is digging into his people’s incredible pasts in the lost Nabataean city of Madain Saleh.

The journey begins with Hamzah’s trek from his urbane home city of Jeddah into the remote desert to explore his tribal roots among the Bedouins, the famously generous nomadic people who live in tent camps with their families and animals. After riding on camels and hunting with falcons, as well as encountering desert baboons, he heads to the coast where he will literally dive into another unseen realm of Arabia: the uniquely salty Red Sea. Under Arabia’s waters, Hamzah will explore a different world of dazzling coral reefs, distinctive marine life and ancient shipwrecks with stories to tell. He also travels to the lost city of Madain Saleh, where soaring stone tombs cut into the cliffs and the ruins of a sophisticated oasis city have much to reveal about the origins of Arabian culture and its emphasis on trade and education.

Filmgoers will get a more in-depth look at Arabian history with Arabian archaeologist Dr. Daifallah Al-Talhi as the film visits a second enlightened age of Arabia, the Islamic Golden Age, an extraordinary period when a vast Islamic empire made mathematical, medical, engineering and philosophical discoveries that rocked the world and paved the way for modern science and technology.

For a glimpse into current times, the writer Nimah Nawab takes up the narration as she makes a deeply personal pilgrimage to the Hajj, one of the most spiritually-charged events on the planet, when three million Muslim pilgrims make their way to the holy city of Makkah (Mecca) to reaffirm their faith. This profound experience of human communion, rarely seen by outsiders, is witnessed in all its emotions and stark humanity by the IMAX cameras.

ARABIA, produced and distributed by MacGillivray Freeman Films, runs through May 31. Tickets are $8 for ages 14-59, $7 for ages 2-13 and 60+ and free for children younger than 2. Group and Member discounts also are available. Visit discoveryplace.org or call 800-935-0553 for showtimes. Complete film information can be found at: arabia-film.com.
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Discovery Place

One of the top hands-on science museums in the nation, Discovery Place provides ever-changing, entertaining facilities that engage the public in the active exploration of science and nature. More than a half-million people from all over the United States visit Discovery Place, its IMAX® Dome Theatre and Charlotte Nature Museum each year. In June 2010, the Museum completed an 18-month, $31.6 million renovation, resulting in a completely transformed and re-imagined experience with all-new interactive exhibits. Discovery Place is supported, in part, with operating support from the Arts & Science Council.

Discovery Place is located in uptown Charlotte at 301 N. Tryon Street. Convenient parking is available in the Museum’s parking deck – the Carol Grotnes Belk Complex – at the corner of Sixth and Church Streets. For more information about Discovery Place, call 704- 372-6261 or visit discoveryplace.org.

About IMAX Corporation

IMAX Corporation is one of the world’s leading entertainment technology companies, specializing in digital and film-based motion picture technologies. The worldwide IMAX network is among the most important and successful theatrical distribution platforms for major event Hollywood films around the globe, with IMAX theatres delivering the world’s best cinematic presentations using proprietary IMAX, IMAX 3D, and IMAX DMR technology. IMAX DMR is the Company’s groundbreaking digital remastering technology that allows it to transform digitally virtually any conventional motion picture into the unparalleled image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience. IMAX’s renowned projectors display crystal-clear images on the world’s biggest screens, and the IMAX brand is recognized throughout the world for extraordinary and immersive entertainment experiences for consumers. As of September 30, 2006, there were 280 IMAX theatres operating in 40 countries.

IMAX®, IMAX® 3D, IMAX DMR®, IMAX MPX® and The IMAX Experience® are trademarks of IMAX Corporation. More information on the Company can be found at imax.com
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