Stanley Kubrick's "2001: A Space Odyssey" broke all conventions while taking us on a journey of the universe we had yet seen when it was released in 1968. Kubrick has been revered as one of the great filmmakers of his time and has often been compared to filmmaker Christopher Nolan, for similarities in style and interest. You can easily see the connections when watching Nolan's 2014 film, "Interstellar." So it wasn't a surprise to hear that Nolan himself was captivated as a kid seeing "2001" for the first time, however, his project this last year speaks to that on a much more profound level.

Recreating '2001' the way it was in 1968

Late last year Nolan became fixated with restoring "2001" to 70-millimeter print, the way the film was originally viewed by audiences in 1968. Although according to a New York Times article, Nolan isn't calling it a restoration, he prefers "unrestored." He became involved with the project while he was in the process of remastering his own collection, restoring them in 4K Ultra High Definition. According to the article, Nolan says it's not about "nostalgia," it's just a different way to view a film. Nolan himself is a big fan of 70-millimeter format and even showed his recent film "Dunkirk" this way, last year, in over 100 theaters. The passion Nolan has for film is demonstrated clearly throughout his work, and this particular project shows that Nolan isn't only concerned with what the digital age can bring to cinema, but also the importance of preserving what has been done in the past.

All artists stand on the shoulders of other creators, and Nolan's appreciation for what Kubrick was able to do with his career is undeniable.

Unrestored version to premiere at Cannes Film Festival

This Saturday, Nolan will be attending the Cannes Film Festival to screen the 70-millimeter cut, along with Mr. Kubrick's daughter, Katharina, who says her father would be "thrilled" to know Nolan is putting so much care into his work.

A film can act as a time capsule, and the opportunity to hold on to that experience is priceless to many cinema buffs. After the premiere, this weekend, the film will be open in select theaters on May 18. If you miss the chance to go see it, Warner Brothers will be releasing a version in 4K, but still cut down to the analog version. The New York Times quotes Nolan as saying, " What I want audiences to take away is what I took away when I was a kid seeing it."
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