The premiere of “Straight up- Helicopters in Action “ at gateway’s Imax Theatre launched with a stunning display of real and virtual helicopters to a capacity audience on 26th Novermber. VIP guests included Canadian Imax movie director, David Douglas and South African Game relocation specialist, DR Douw Grobelaar, who starred in the film. The event was organized and funded by Old Mutual Properties, Gateway Imax and JNC Helicopters to show the vital importance that helicopters play in people’s lives. 
Before screening, the police task force gave a dramatic presentation outside the cinema complex. Police vehicles and personnel, explosives and smoke were accompanied by a low flying police helicopter with task force members standing in the skids. Shortly afterwards eight helicopters including the Cell C rescue helicopter and Eurocopter landed in a display of precision flying on the lawns. Mel Millers, the first man who brought Imax to South Africa introduced the move and said with passion that “Imax is education and powerfully motivating: Its changes people’s lives.” He explained that “Straight up – Helicopters in Action” paid tribute to the machine as well as the men and woman who put themselves at risk daily in service of others.

Director David Douglas, who had flown to South Africa from Canada for the event explained that Imax movies were different to other films in that they “are not linear- the audience chooses what to look at.” The documentary with took five years to film at cost of approximately $7 million features up to 30 helicopters and progression from the first autogiro to highly sophisticated tilt highlighter included military reconnaissance, coastal patrol, sea rescue, mountain rescue, maintenance of electric cables, log removal and delivery of food.
For the South African audience it was a treat to see veterinarian Dr Douw Grobelaar, doing game relocation. Guests, who enjoyed cocktails afterwards, were left in no doubts as to the dramatic and important role that helicopters play in the world today.