Monique Robinson
wmal.com
WASHINGTON — (WMAL) Filmmakers are outraged by the Smithsonian’s decision to close the Samuel C. Johnson IMAX theater at the National Museum of Natural History.
“The leadership of the Natural History museum has decided that what our children need is less nature and more fast food,” said Johnathan Barker, CEO of SK FIlms and Executive Producer of “Amazon Adventure.”
According to the Smithsonian website, the Johnson’s IMAX theater is the largest in DC and one of the largest in the world.
“There are space and flight films shown on the mall at the National Air and Space museum but, there is no place for natural history and nature films to play other than here,” said Barker.
On July 20, the Save Our IMAX organization released a statement: “The filmmakers have asked the museum’s Executive Director Dr. Kirk Johnson, to delay the demolition in order to engage in a transparent and public dialogue on the decision, including a full financial disclosure of the IMAX theater as well as the rationale for the proposed cafeteria expansion and its expected revenues.”
“We are hoping to be able to influence decision makers both on the board itself but also at the level of leadership of the Smithsonian…,” said Barker.
The museum plans to show its last IMAX film on October 1, 2017.
The Samuel C. Johnson IMAX theater has been providing films for the National Museum of Natural History since 1999.
Copyright 2017 by WMAL.com. All Rights Reserved. ( PHOTO: SMITHSONIAN NATIONAL MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY)
