Balneum [Public Bathhouse]

A final glimpse of Shuang Xing Tang Bathhouse, Beijing oldest public bathhouse, built in 1916 and due to be demolished to give way for commercial and housing development. The bathhouse was used as the main setting for the movie Shower shot in 1999 by Chinese director Zhang Yang. Shower was selected for numerous film festivals, including San Sebastian Film Festival, Sundance Film Festival, and Seattle International Film Festival, where it received many awards. It also premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on 14 September 1999 and won the FIPRESCI Prize. Some of the bathers appearing in this set of photos held bit parts in the movie back in 1999.