As projectionist Zhou Xuesong fine-tuned his machine at a square in Yangzhuang village in Datong, Shanxi province, on the evening of Jun 23, he was surrounded by villagers who brought chairs to secure a spot for a good view, as well as children who were chasing each other around and laughing.

"What's on show for tonight?" a villager asked Zhou. "Zhang Ga the Soldier Boy," he replied, as a beam of light hit the screen amid cheers.

This moment encapsulates Zhou's years of dedication to screening vintage movies for villagers, all for free.