Masamitsu Mizuno, manager of the independent movie house Shintomi-Za, thanks members of the audience for coming as he holds the curtain at the exit.
The little cinema, which does not belong to a major film distributor or production company, has fended for itself in Ise for 80 years with the patronage of local customers.
The movie house, consisting of two theaters with 48 and 120 seats, is operated by Mizuno's family and a single projectionist. There is no glass partition at the ticket booth and no counter to provide snacks.
Mizuno, 48, became manager of the theater 24 years ago. Before the war, it had served as a makeshift playhouse, established by his great-grandfather in 1927.