China National Film Museum has 3D films and IMAX experiences, but only in Chinese, Eric Jou discovers

Next week, China will see its documentary The Warriors of Qiugang compete in the 83rd Academy Awards, indicating a growing presence in the global movie scene.

However, over the past 30 years or so, Beijing's involvement in the global film scene has been little more than as a fascinating location, evident from Bernardo Bertolucci's The Last Emperor (1987) right up to Harald Zwart's remake of The Karate Kid (2010).

Aside from these two movies and perhaps a handful more, film buffs have a hard time elaborating on the history of film in Beijing. Luckily, hidden just outside of the Fifth Ring Road, there is a treasure trove of China's cinematic history that does just that: the China National Film Museum.

Built in 2005 and open to the public in 2007, the nationally sponsored museum houses a collection of China's contributions to the film arena, with historical dioramas showcasing the country's progression of motion pictures.

"The museum has been open to the public since 2007, with the theme of celebrating 100 years of Chinese films," said Song Lichen, public liaison at the museum.

"When the museum was first opened, most of the patrons were movie buffs. It wasn't until the release of Avatar that the museum and its multiplex received public attention."

With a diverse exhibition organized by genre, location and type, the museum recalls a complete century of Chinese cinematic history, including entries from Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macao. There are roughly 30 tours arranged each day by tour guides, as well as multilingual audio tours.

"Because we're a government-funded operation, ticket prices are much cheaper than at commercial movie theaters," Song said. "We often have film buffs come to the theater on a daily basis to catch a free screening or one of our 2-yuan screenings."

"Families take advantage of the price and bring their children along."

Reliving history is not the only service the museum provides. A main attraction at China National Museum is a multiplex complete with IMAX screen and 3D offerings. The IMAX seats up to 403 people, with spaces for the disabled provided.

In addition, there are five regular screens that run the latest movies from China and abroad, and at affordable prices.

However, visitors should note that not only are all the foreign movies dubbed in Mandarin, none are supplied with English subtitles. If you cannot understand Chinese, there is little point catching a movie at the museum.

With movie prices, including IMAX 3D and digital 3D, being cheaper than regular commercial movie theaters, and occasional free admission on offer, the museum has become a hangout for Chinese movie buffs.

"A lot of old people and movie buffs come here, and now there are more younger people too," said Song.

Film fan Chen Yulang, in her 20s, said she has taken her family to the museum twice since learning about it last year. Most recently, Chen brought her extended family, from Baoding city in Hebei province, to the museum as part of their sightseeing trip to the capital.

"We came to expose the children to some culture and history," Chen said. "This is a great place to take children, as they have an exhibition hall dedicated to animation.

"And because of the cinema that is attached, the children can also watch a movie."