Dive into a spectacular underwater experience in “Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Secret Ocean 3D,” narrated by oceanographer Dr. Sylvia Earle, which started on November 8 at the California Science Center IMAX theater.
Filmed over 3 years in vibrant marine environments from the Bahamas to Fiji, the first giant screen film directed by Jean-Michel Cousteau provides a compelling, breakthrough look at a secret world within the ocean that is perhaps the biggest story of all—that the smallest life in the sea is the mightiest force on which we all depend.
“Secret Ocean 3D” engages audiences of all ages to experience the ocean as never before. With breathtaking underwater sequences, viewers are introduced to over 30 species — some no bigger than one inch — and will discover behaviors captured for the very first time thanks to the development of new filming technologies in ultra-HD 5K, slow motion, macro, and with motion control.
“Since the 1940s, the Cousteau family has been deeply connected to the water. Millions of people have grown up with our Calypso adventures, which revealed to the public what was a totally unknown world at that time,” said Jean-Michel Cousteau. “Thanks to the new technology developed specifically for us, I immediately understood that this was a revolution in underwater filming that would allow us to capture a whole new range of behaviors I had never before witnessed in my 71 years of diving. ‘Secret Ocean 3D’ takes us one step further in the discovery of the ocean in a way my father, Jacques Cousteau, could have only imagined.”
“From the time of my very first dive, I’ve had the frustration of knowing that there was always more beyond what I could see, but technology is key to being able to see the ocean with new eyes,” said narrator Dr. Sylvia Earle.
“Thanks to the stunning giant screen format, ‘Secret Ocean’ allows us a deeper understanding of all life in the sea, the heart of our planet, and encourages us to take care of not only the large creatures, such as whales and dolphins, but also the tiny creatures that make the rest of life possible. With knowing comes caring, but first we need to know.”
Alongside marine biologist Holly Lohuis, Jean-Michel Cousteau provides a brand new view of the underwater world that will leave audiences in awe of the beauty and diversity of the oceans – the source of all life on our planet – and inspire an even stronger desire to protect what they have seen for the first time, or re-discovered along the journey.
After viewing the film, Science Center guests are encouraged to visit the Ecosystems gallery, complete with hands-on exhibits, live plants and animals in 11 immersive environments, including a kelp forest. Visitors can walk through a tunnel at the bottom of the 188,000-gallon tank, and gaze into the kelp as though walking along the ocean floor. In this nutrient-rich habitat, many of the plants and animals found off the Southern California Coast can be seen, from leopard sharks and garibaldi, to bat rays and moray eels. The kelp forest’s structure creates many communities and supports a diverse range of species.
“We are excited to give our guests this opportunity to learn about life in the oceans around us, “ said Jeffrey Rudolph, California Science Center President and CEO. “Watching the film and visiting our Ecosystems Gallery will provide our guests the knowledge to become better stewards of our oceans.”
“Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Secret Ocean 3D” is produced by Ocean Futures Society & 3D Entertainment Films, and distributed worldwide by 3D Entertainment Distribution. It was written by Pamela Stacey, and Gavin McKinney served as director of photography. Dr. Richard Murphy was the chief scientific advisor. The original musical score was written and performed by Christophe Jacquelin.
For more information, visit www.SecretOcean-theFilm.com
