Goodbye, Dragon Inn

The Fu He Grand Theater, a dilapidated movie palace in Taipei, prepares for its final day of operation. This day marks the end of an era, as the theater is known for its crumbling infrastructure and has few patrons.

On its last day, the theater screens King Hu's classic film, Dragon Inn, but disappointingly, few patrons can be seen in attendance. The lack of fanfare highlights the theater's decline and the nostalgia surrounding its history.

The female ticket attendant makes her way through the decaying hallways, carrying a steamed bun for the projectionist. Her routine reflects the loneliness and dedication found in a theater fading into obscurity.

As the ticket attendant reaches the projection room, she finds the projectionist absent. Contemplating leaving the bun for him, she ultimately decides to take it back and walk away, symbolizing the fading connection between the staff.

A Japanese tourist enters the theater hoping to find companionship, navigating the known cruising spots within the hall. Despite his efforts, he finds no success, reflecting on the theater's changing dynamics and audience.

While attempting to connect with Chen Chao-jung in a storage room, the tourist learns about the theater's haunting reputation. Chen's rejection of the tourist's advances highlights the struggles and desperation within the space.

One of the few attendees, a female patron, tiptoes through the nearly empty theater in an attempt to avoid drawing attention. When she approaches the tourist, her noise while eating leads him to abandon his spot, illustrating the awkwardness of the setting.

As Dragon Inn reaches its climax, the original actors, Miao Tien and Shih Chun, watch from the audience. Their emotional reactions speak volumes about the nostalgia and memories tied to the film and the theater itself.

Post-screening, the ticket attendant dutifully turns on the lights and sweeps the empty floor, signifying the end of operations. The lingering camera on the deserted theater evokes a sense of nostalgia and melancholy as nobody seems to care anymore.

As the night falls, the projectionist and ticket attendant share a final moment while closing up the theater. They rewind the film and take out the trash, a bittersweet reminder of the theater's impending closure.

The ticket attendant sees one last poster declaring the theater 'Temporarily out of business' and takes a moment to absorb her surroundings. This moment becomes a poignant goodbye as she walks away, leaving behind a place filled with memories.

From the shadows, the ticket attendant watches the projectionist drive away, carrying the steamed bun she left for him. This act symbolizes not only their bond but also the heart-wrenching end of an era for the theater.

The ticket attendant walks home alone, enveloped by the rain that mirrors her sorrow. The final scene encapsulates the desolation and the memories tied to the theater as she leaves behind a significant chapter of her life.