HOME > Newsroom > News Releases

Two new “untamed” IMAX films open Feb. 22
“Wild Chimpanzees” and “Ocean Wonderland”

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (Jan. 27, 2003) – From chimps in the trees to the depths of the seas, see two new eye-popping IMAX adventures. Opening Feb. 22 at the Tennessee Aquarium IMAX Theater are “Jane Goodall's Wild Chimpanzees” and “Ocean Wonderland.”

Travel deep into Africa's Gombe Forest with a real-life ‘Queen of the Jungle’ to experience the world of chimpanzees up close and personal. “Jane Goodall’s Wild Chimpanzees” takes viewers on an extraordinary trip to observe surprising, fascinating and highly amusing chimp behaviors.

Enveloped by the jungle, viewers are led by the world’s most famous field researcher Dr. Goodall to explore the daily lives of the now-famous Gombe chimp families: Fifi and sons Freud and the turbulent alpha male Frodo, along with Gremlin, Gaia and the endearing Galahad.

The film is a thoughtful look at some of Dr. Goodall’s more profound insights -- family relationships, tool making, war making and playing are the foundations of both chimp and human societies.

In addition to Dr. Goodall’s missionary-like efforts to save Africa's chimpanzees from extinction, the film also reveals a side of her that many people may not know. She operates an orphanage for nearly 200 chimpanzees whose mothers were killed by poachers.

“Jane Goodall’s Wild Chimpanzees” is a co-production of the Science Museum of Minnesota, Science North, and Discovery Place, in cooperation with the Jane Goodall Institute. Presented by Bank of America, the film has also received major funding from the National Science Foundation.

Replacing the IMAX Theater’s signature film, “Into the Deep,” is “Ocean Wonderland,” a brand new 3D ocean film.

Sharks in a feeding frenzy, frolicking dolphins and soaring eagle rays are just a few of the marine creatures featured in the new 3D film, “Ocean Wonderland.” Filmed on Australia's Great Barrier Reef and in the Bahamas, 3D sea film fans will be totally immersed in the magic and majesty of coral reefs in “Ocean Wonderland.”

The film dramatically illustrates the threats that are destroying the world’s coral reefs by showcasing the incredible beauty and importance of coral reefs. The film explains how reefs support marine life and provide habitat and food for a wide variety of fish species. The film highlights several threats facing coral reefs, and calls for increased protection and care of reef systems.

"Coral reefs are critically important to the long term health of the marine environment," said Dr. Simon Cripps, director of World Wildlife Fund’s Endangered Seas Program. "We must recognize the effects of overfishing and climate change on coral reefs, and take urgent steps to ensure that they are adequately protected. WWF believes that ‘Ocean Wonderland 3D’ will raise considerable public awareness about both the importance of corals, and the perils that they face."

“Ocean Wonderland” was produced in collaboration with the United Nations Environment Program and supports their efforts to reverse the decline in coral reef ecosystems around the world.

###