Beijingers have been very reluctant to say goodbye to the 66-year-old Capital Cinema in downtown Beijing along the West Chang'an Avenue. But sadly, they had to.
The city planners are to expand the Chang'an Avenue, the city's arterial road. Therefore, the Capital Cinema has to be relocated to a new site at nearby Xidan High-Tech Plaza.
The old Capital Cinema was the first state-run cinema in China, and witnessed the ups and downs of the movie industry of Beijing.
At the farewell show, many nostalgic fans showed up holding old posters and tickets in their hands.
"This picture was taken at the opening ceremony of the Asian Film Week. Premier Zhou En'lai was also present at that time. So I have a special feeling for the cinema and I really don't want to say good-bye."
The new Capital Cinema will be built this August and will be ready in 2006.
(Cri.com June 19, 2003)
