Source: CCTV.com

05-11-2006 16:08

Watching movies used to be a luxury for many in China's countryside. But under a government project, farmers can watch a movie at least once a month, more often than many city dwellers do. And even better, it's free.

69-year-old Dunzhu Xiujie got a good seat for this Jet Li action movie.

The village's monthly movie day is a happy time for all.

They can enjoy a variety of films without having to go to the city, thousands of kilometers away.

Dunzhu Xiujie said: "The mobile movie theatre is a good thing for us. We can watch movies near our home. It's particularly good for children and old people like me. I'm grateful to our Party for the movie project."

The State Administration of Film, Radio and Television launched Project 2131 in 1998. The goal is to show a movie a month in each village during the first part of the 21st century.

2131 has seen great progress in recent years in China's Tibet Autonomous Region.

Qun Zeng, Manager of Tibet Movie Company said: "The Tibet Autonomous Region has nearly 6000 administrative villages. 98% of them have reached the goal of the 2131 project in most of the rural areas. So far, we've set up nearly 500 mobile movie teams with just under 900 staff."

Ci Jia is one of the movie team members.

He has to cover close to 4,000 kilometers. And he's proud of his work.

Ci Jia said: "Our mobile movie theaters not only offer entertainment but also some basic knowledge. We show short films on things like using electricity safely. The locals welcome us wherever we go. I feel great about my job."

Mobile movie theaters are a channel to educate and to promote the country's policies. They link the people in remote areas with the outside world and its culture.

The movies allow the distance to dissolve so the people can feel close to the rest of the country.

This mobile movie theatre makes it possible for local villagers to enjoy the same blockbusters as folk in China's most cosmopolitan cities. And it's certainly a heady experience to watch a wide screen movie surrounded by such stunning scenery at 4,300 meters above sea level.

 

Editor:Chen Minji