The world’s greatest rock band, U2, is starring in the first ever live action digital 3D film, which premieres at South Africa’s first new generation 3D digital cinemas on 22 February.

“U2 3D” will screen at Ster-Kinekor Classic the Zone in Rosebank and Ster-Kinekor Classic Gateway in Durban.

The film is described as “a unique cinematic experience that places viewers within the pulsing energy of a stadium concert given by the world’s most popular band” by Ster-Kinekor Theatres Marketing Executive Michelle Roodt. “Marrying innovative digital 3-D imagery and multi-channel surround sound with the excitement of a live U2 concert – shot in South America during the final leg of their ‘Vertigo’ tour – the film creates an immersive theatrical experience unlike any 3-D or concert film that has come before. Ushering in a new dimension of filmmaking, U2 3D takes viewers on an extraordinary journey they will never forget.”

“U2 3D” is directed by Catherine Owens, U2’s visual content director for more than 15 years, and Mark Pellington, who directed U2’s “One” video. The production utilised the largest collection of 3-D camera technology ever used on a single project. The production crew shot at huge outdoor stadium shows at cities in four countries including Mexico City, Mexico; Sao Paulo, Brazil; Santiago, Chile; and Buenos Aires, Argentina.

All told, over 100 hours of digital 3-D footage was shot, documenting a set list that includes such seminal U2 songs as “Pride (In the Name of Love),” “New Year’s Day,” “Sunday Bloody Sunday,” “Miss Sarajevo,” “Where the Streets Have No Name,” “With or Without You,” “Bullet the Blue Sky” and “One,” as well as more recent tracks such as “Beautiful Day,” “Love and Peace or Else,” “Vertigo,” “Sometimes You Can’t Make It On Your Own” and “Yahweh.”

In its review, highly regarded UK publication Uncut said, “The sense of novelty gimmick soon wears off, and the sharp visuals draw the viewer inside an immersive sensory experience … Bono seems to hurtle towards you and Adam Clayton’s bass swings perilously close.”

Fans can expect to experience great versions of U2’s hit including ‘One’ and ‘Miss Sarajevo’ in an intimate and moving way.

3ality Digital’s Jon Shapiro, Peter Shapiro, John Modell and Steve Schklair, along with Owens, produced the 3ality Digital presentation. 3ality Digital’s Sandy Climan, Michael Peyser and David Modell are executive producers, and Scott Mednick an Co-Executive Producer.