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Adventure Film "Antarctica" Screens in MegaDome Theater at Chabot Space & Science Center

(January 2, 2001, Oakland, CA) — Chabot Space & Science Center's Tien MegaDome Theater presents Antarctica, a breathtaking adventure film that explores the awesome vastness and mysterious beauty of the world's southernmost continent. Earth's highest, driest, coldest and windiest continent is captured on the MegaDome five stories high, surrounding audiences with spectacular vistas as it portrays a world that is peaceful yet dangerous, alive yet barren. Antarctica allows viewers to vividly experience life in the planet's largest and most arid desert — minus the chill. 

Director John Weiley and his crew filmed over two Antarctic summers, capturing footage so realistic and sharp that this is possibly the closest most audience members will ever get to the frozen continent. The filming expeditions proved extraordinarily demanding, an exercise in patience, courage and commitment. "Working in this climate is a physical challenge that can be frustrating enough to bring tears to your eyes — tears that freeze your eyes shut," said Weiley. 

Antarctica is a land of extremes, with six months of daylight and six months of complete darkness, a frontier that lured and defeated many an early explorer. Its ice-cloaked mountains, treacherous crevasses and strange dry valleys are all part of the exhilarating view as the filmmakers take a thrilling helicopter journey across the vast continent. 

Antarctica takes audiences deep within the icy blue waters of a crystalline cave submerged within the Chaos Glacier, never before seen or explored by humans. Viewers also join international teams of scientists in unlocking the mysteries of this desolate continent by studying ice cores drilled out of the earth's frozen crust. Though 98 percent of Antarctica is covered in frozen ice up to three miles thick, the edges of the continent teem with life. Emperor penguins seem to fly through icy waters and Weddell seals coax their young pups to swim.

Antarctica is a Heliograph Production directed by John Weiley and produced by John Weiley and David Flatman. Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry is executive producer and worldwide distributor of the film. The Museum, together with the Australian Film Finance Corporation Pty. Ltd., provided financial support. Logistical support was provided by the U.S. National Science Foundation and the Australian Antarctic Division.

Antarctica screens Tuesdays - Fridays at 11:30 a.m. and 3 p.m.; Saturdays at 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.; and Friday and Saturday evenings at 7:30 p.m.. Tickets for the MegaDome are $8.75 for adults and $6.50 for children (ages 4-12) and seniors. For daytime screenings, General admission tickets must also be purchased ($8.50/$5.50).

For tickets and information call (510) 336-7300 or visit www.chabotspace.org

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