Doctor Strange embraces the mystical
Installation view of the ‘Alternate dimensions’ room, ‘Marvel: Creating the Cinematic Universe’, GOMA 2017 / Photograph: Natasha Harth © QAGOMA / View full image
‘Marvel: Creating the Cinematic Universe’ screens all the films including Doctor Strange 2016. This is a great opportunity to see the films then the never-before-seen set pieces which have inspired the exhibition. In Doctor Strange, director Scott Derrickson takes on the origin of masterful, but narcissistic, neurosurgeon Dr Stephen Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch), who irreversibly damages the nerves in his hands — the very source of his wealth and stardom.
‘We never lose our demons, we only learn to live above them.’
The Ancient One
Exhausting his resources to seek a cure, Dr Strange is taken in at a temple for the mystic arts in Kathmandu by Karl Mordo (Chiwetel Ejiofor). Sceptical Strange resists the quiet insistence of the Ancient One (Tilda Swinton) that his mind can overcome infirmity, but he becomes a fast learner when she shows him his Astral form, mystical protals and other dimensions of reality.
Strange soon meets zealot Kaecilius (Mads Mikkelsen), who seeks to deliver Earth to Dormammu, a primordial entity from the Dark Dimension where wicked sorcerers draw their power. Where Thor steps into the mythic and Guardians of the Galaxy the galactic, Doctor Strange is the Cinematic Universe’s first embrace of the mystical.
Film still from Doctor Strange 2016 / © 2017 MARVEL / View full image
The Ancient One costume / Worn
by Tilda Swinton in Doctor Strange
2016 / © 2017 MARVEL / View full image
Installation view of the ‘Alternate dimensions’ room, ‘Marvel: Creating the Cinematic Universe’, GOMA 2017 / Photograph: Natasha Harth © QAGOMA / View full image
DELVE DEEPER INTO DOCTOR STRANGE AND THE MARVEL CINEMATIC UNIVERSE
Go behind the scenes to experience more than 500 unique objects seen in your favourite films which offer a glimpse into the work of production designers, storyboarding and pre‑visualisation artists, costume and prop designers, and visual effects artists alongside the original comic books which introduced the characters and influenced the films.
Doctor Strange costume featuring Eye of Agamotto / From Doctor Strange 2016 / © 2017 MARVEL / View full image
Eye of Agamotto / From Doctor Strange 2016 / © 2017 MARVEL / View full image
TICKETS CINEMA | EXHIBITION | UP LATE / BUY THE PUBLICATION
Purchase tickets for ‘Marvel: Creating the Cinematic Universe‘ online or at the ticket desk 10.00am-4.00pm daily, and until 8.00pm Wednesday. ‘Marvel’ film screenings and ‘Marvel’ Up Late are separate ticketed events.
Film notes by Dan Cameron
Feature image: Installation view of the ‘Alternate dimensions’ room, ‘Marvel: Creating the Cinematic Universe’, GOMA 2017 / Photograph: Natasha Harth © QAGOMA