As China's film market enjoys a booming Qingming Festival holiday, a time-honored cinema in the southwestern province of Sichuan is captivating moviegoers with a vintage exhibition featuring rare artifacts, offering a nostalgic journey through a century of films.
During the three-day public holiday that began on Friday, theaters across China have rolled out diverse films and immersive cultural experiences. Among them, a century-old cinema in Chengdu, the provincial capital of Sichuan, has stolen the spotlight by blending modern technology with a nostalgic journey that brings history back to life.
At the newly renovated Xinming Cinema, moviegoers are treated not only to the latest blockbusters in state-of-the-art screening rooms but also to a unique "time-traveling" experience. The cinema has transformed its lobby and hallways into a mini film museum, showcasing rare archival materials, classic posters and vintage equipment that offers visitors a rare glimpse into the history of the cinema and the country's film industry.
"This is a century-old projector. We've named this exhibit 'The Century-Old Projector Returns Home.' Our Xinming Cinema first opened in April 1924, and back then, we introduced a French-made 1920s Pathé 35mm projector. Now, the same model has returned home," said Yu Chengli, deputy general manager of Chengdu Film Group's Cinema Operations Department.
The exhibition also features original movie tickets, licensing documents, antique film projectors, and other treasures that allow visitors to trace the evolution of Chinese cinema over the last hundred years.
"I was amazed to see these old projectors. There were both hand-cranked and electric models," said visitor Du Hongyan.
"We can see classic movie posters and old films restored to 4K resolution here, offering a glimpse into the history of film industry," said Yu Zhiqi, another visitor.
Qingming Festival, or Tomb-Sweeping Day, fell on April 4 this year. It is a traditional Chinese festival during which people pay tribute to the dead and worship their ancestors. The holiday also provides a short break for China's residents to engage in outdoor activities or go sightseeing.
Sichuan's century-old cinema wows audiences with nostalgic exhibition
