Ontario Science Centre to open JERUSALEM first-ever giant screen film about the Historic City

Narrated by Benedict Cumberbatch
Presented by National Geographic Entertainment

TORONTO, Feb. 25, 2014 /CNW/ - Jerusalem: sacred to half the people on earth; fought over more than any other place in history; conquered and destroyed, rebuilt and reinvented repeatedly over 5,000 years. Now, for the first-time ever, a new giant screen film immerses audiences in a spectacular cinematic journey—soaring high above the region and plunging deep into the vibrant Old City — to experience as never before the well-known sites. On March 7, the Shoppers Drug Mart_® OMNIMAX^® Theatre at the Ontario Science Centre will premiere JERUSALEM, a captivating new film that explores on a grand scale the intersection of science, history and religion in this remarkable city.

"The film is a stunning and thought provoking presentation of one of the world's iconic cities," said Lesley Lewis, CEO, Ontario Science Centre, "For visitors of all cultures, Jerusalem will be an enriching standalone film as well as a strong complement to the Sultans of Science exhibition. Together the film and exhibition will provide a platform for reflection and dialogue."

Narrated by Benedict Cumberbatch (Star Trek into the Darkness, PBS's Sherlock), JERUSALEM gives audiences a rare glimpse of the ancient, storied city, as well as access to memorable sites including the Western Wall, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the Dome of the Rock, the Jordan River, the Sea of Galilee, and the mountain fortress of Masada.  Filmmakers were granted special permission in the region's strict no-fly zone, enabling them to capture the first-ever large format aerial images of the Old City and throughout the region.

"Through the unrivaled beauty, visceral nature and incredible technology of the giant screen format, you feel as if you are experiencing Jerusalem up-close and first-hand," said writer/director Daniel Ferguson.

Audiences will discover why this tiny piece of land is sacred to three major religions through the stories of Jewish, Christian and Muslim families who call Jerusalem home. They will also join renowned archaeologist, Dr. Jodi Magness, as she travels underground to investigate some of this city's greatest mysteries. Find out why, after thousands of years, Jerusalem continues to stir the imagination of billions of people.

An original production from Cosmic Picture and Arcane Pictures and distributed by National Geographic Entertainment, the 43-minute large format film was executive produced by the late Jake Eberts, legendary producer of movies such as Gandhi, Chariots of Fire, and Dances with Wolves; produced by Taran Davies, George Duffield and Daniel Ferguson; and written and directed by Daniel Ferguson.  Large format industry veteran Reed Smoot, ASC is Director of Photography.

Local Film Patrons: MOHAMMAD & NAJLA AL ZAIBAK and MARK & SUZANNE COHON

For more information about JERUSALEM, including links to the trailer and behind-the-scenes videos, visit http://jerusalemthemovie.com. Become a fan on Facebook at facebook.com/jerusalemthemovie. Or follow us on Twitter @Jerusalem_Movie, #jerusalemfilm

For artwork, please visit: www.OntarioScienceCentre.ca/Media/ImagesVideo

About the Ontario Science Centre
The Ontario Science Centre delights, informs and challenges the communities we serve, enriching people's lives and understanding through engagement with science of local, national and global relevance. Since 1969, the Ontario Science Centre has welcomed more than 47 million visitors, with an interactive approach that was the model for Science Centres around the world. It is the public centre for innovative thinking and provocative dialogue in science and technology, aiming to inspire a lifelong journey of curiosity, discovery and action to create a better future for the planet. The Ontario Science Centre is an agency of the Government of Ontario.

Please visit us at Ontariosciencecentre.ca. Facebook: www.Facebook.com/OntarioScienceCentre. Twitter: @OntScienceCtr  |  #JerusalemFilm YouTube: www.YouTube.com/user/OntarioScienceCentre.

About Cosmic Picture
Cosmic Picture was founded by Taran Davies and Dominic Cunningham-Reid to produce dynamic giant screen and theatrical films to entertain and educate audiences about culture, faith, history, science and the environment. Cosmic Picture's last film was the award-winning IMAX feature documentary "Journey to Mecca." For more information, visit www.cosmicpicture.com.

About Arcane Pictures
Founded by George Duffield and Meg Thomson, Arcane Pictures' mission is to make powerful and moving films. Arcane is at the forefront of combining documentaries and the power of cinema to change the world. Its most recent film, "The End of the Line," won the inaugural Puma Creative Impact prize for the documentary that achieved the largest social impact in the world. This film continues to alter overfishing policies worldwide. For more information, visit www.arcanepictures.com.    

About National Geographic Cinema Ventures/National Geographic Entertainment
National Geographic Cinema Ventures/National Geographic Entertainment is responsible for production and distribution of giant screen, 3-D and specialty films. Over the last decade, NGCV/NGE has produced or released a number of successful films, including Oscar-nominated documentaries "Restrepo" and "The Story of the Weeping Camel" giant-screen award-winning films "Sea Monsters: A Prehistoric Adventure," "U2 3D," "Mysteries of Egypt" and "Forces of Nature" and feature-length films "The Last Lions" and "Life in a Day." Lisa Truitt is president of NGCV/NGE, and Mark Katz is president of NGCV/NGE distribution. For more information, visit www.nationalgeographic.com/movies 

SOURCE: Ontario Science Centre

Media contacts:
For Ontario Science Centre
Anna Relyea
Director, Strategic Communications
416-696-3273 | cell: 416-668-1967
[email protected] 

Jefferson Darrell
Media Relations Officer
416-696-3154
[email protected] 

Andrea Mus
Media Relations Officer
416-696-3191
[email protected] 

For National Geographic Entertainment:
Eddie Ward  |  Roslan & Campion PR
212-966-4600
[email protected]