By MOOK Travel Life Network, reported by Chen Guanxin
Do you remember the hand-painted movie posters that used to hang above theaters when you were a child? This nostalgic sight has gradually faded from our lives with advancements in technology like computer animation. However, Tainan’s “Quanmei Theater,” in addition to retaining the classic paper tickets and simple metal chairs of old cinemas—unlike the digital tickets and comfy seats of modern multiplexes—most strikingly and evocatively features hand-painted movie posters above its entrance, a rare sight these days. These nostalgic details have even caught the eye of an Associated Press reporter, bringing this last remaining old-memory gem of Tainan to international media attention.
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Tainan’s Quanmei Theater has made it onto international media outlets thanks to its one-of-a-kind hand-painted movie posters. (Image source / from the Facebook page “Today’s Quanmei Theater”)
Located on Section 2, Yongfu Road, West Central District, Tainan City, Quanmei Theater has a history of over 60 years. Even Oscar-winning director Ang Lee once wandered its foyer and auditorium as a child. Aside from the memorable old architecture, the four hand-painted movie posters above the theater’s entrance are especially impressive.
Netizens might recall how, as children, they’d see large hand-painted movie posters competing for attention at theater entrances, resembling a small carnival market in the early days. But with the advancement of computer animation technology, theater posters outside cinemas have gradually been replaced by elaborate digital images. Yet this trend has also made Tainan’s Quanmei Theater—the only one left that still preserves hand-painted posters—stand out. Even foreigners feel a wave of nostalgia when seeing them, prompting AP reporter TASSANEE VEJPONGSA to share this sentiment of reminiscence in international media.
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Yan Zhenfa, the soul behind Quanmei Theater’s hand-painted movie posters. (Image source / from the Facebook page “Today’s Quanmei Theater”)
Yan Zhenfa, the creator of the hand-painted movie posters, is the guardian of these old memories. Now 61 years old, Yan is the last remaining hand-painted movie poster artist in Taiwan. His makeshift studio is right on the sidewalk in front of the theater, where he creates the very posters we see. “The most important thing is to capture and highlight each character’s features, while also paying attention to the details of proportion and scaling,” Yan explains.
Wu Juncheng, the owner of Quanmei Theater, says that choosing not to follow the digital wave is worthwhile. Spending NT$20,000 a month to have Yan Zhenfa paint 2–3 posters per week is not only justified, but the oil-painted posters also convey a special atmosphere. Moreover, because Yan’s painting skills are truly exceptional, Wu finds it hard to let go of his talent.
To help pass on this craft, Quanmei Theater has also launched a hand-painted poster cultural and creative workshop, taught personally by Yan Zhenfa, who shares his over 40 years of experience and skill in creating thousands of movie posters with participants.
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Quanmei Theater also offers a “Hand-Painted Poster Cultural Workshop” to keep traditional craftsmanship alive. (Image source / from the Facebook page “Today’s Quanmei Theater”)