The Irish actor was last night at the centre of a cinematic experiment which saw fragrances released into cinema auditoriums to coincide with events on the screen. Cinema-goers in Japan were given a nasal, as well as a visual, treat when viewing Farrell's new movie, The New World.

The screening of the movie was accompanied by a series of smells, released from the back of the cinema, which matched scenes being played out on the screen. The technology, developed by a Japanese company, is said to improve the cinematic experience by bringing the viewer further into the film.

The New World, which sees Farrell play the role of American colonial leader John Smith, said to have been saved from execution by North American princess Pocahontas, was the first film to be used for the new technology. NTT Communications' fragrance-emitting technology was used in selected cinemas in Japan last night, where the movie was debuting. The film opened here some months back without the special effects.

Seven fragrances wafted from machines under seats located at the back of the cinema, each one accompanying selected scenes. For example, during romantic scenes a floral scent was emitted, while a peppermint and rosemary smell was deemed appropriate for tear-jerking moments.

NTT Communications have also developed a home version of the equipment, costing over 600.

Users can set the machines to release fragrances deemed appropriate for movies being watched at home. Alternatively, the company says the technology can provide relaxation at night.

Fragrance-emitting technology is not new to Hollywood, although it is the first time in many years it has been used. The Smell-O-Vision was first pioneered by Mike Todd in 1960 and saw 30 different smells injected into cinemas when triggered by the film's soundtrack. The technology was used during the 1960 film Scent of Mystery, although problems emerged when attempting to flush the scents out between each showing.

A year previously, Behind the Great Wall used a process called Aroma-Rama to send scents through the air-conditioning system of a theatre. Although early versions of the new technology were unsuccessful, they led to American film director John Waters paying homage to the notion of nasal stimulus when he included scratch-and-sniff cards that the audience used during his 1982 movie Polyester.

If deemed successful during the new Colin Farrell movie, the technology may be adopted by movie studios for future releases.