TAINAN (TVBS News) — Tainan's first art house cinema, Wonderful Theatre (真善美劇院), announced on Monday (July 1) that it will cease operations on Aug. 1, sparking a wave of sadness among movie buffs.
The decision to close Wonderful Theatre came after evaluating many environmental factors. Located in the West Central District, Section 2, Ximen Rd of Tainan, the theatre occupies the former site of the old Yanping Theatre (延平戲院). The property is owned by the Central Motion Picture Corporation (中影股份有限公司).
Since 2015, the corporation had been planning and renovating the location, officially opening Wonderful Theatre in 2018 as the first art house cinema in Tainan. The theatre preserved elements of the Japanese colonial period, including old bricks, wood, furniture, and images, and used film projection equipment. The interior decor was reminiscent of early alleyways.
The news of Wonderful Theatre's closure has deeply shocked and saddened its many supporters. Some have expressed distress at losing Tainan's sole venue for art films. As the closure draws near, many cherish these final opportunities to immerse themselves in the theatre's nostalgic atmosphere.