“More than half of us come here just to nap. It’s cool inside.”

On July 30, an elderly man in his 80s chuckled knowingly at Hollywood Silver Theater in Nagwon Arcade, central Seoul. That day’s screenings were “The 300 Spartans” and “Rose Marie.” Despite being decades-old films, more than 60 people gathered in front of the screen as the showtime approached. Not many were fully focused on the films. While scenes of war played out on screen, the quiet, rhythmic breathing of dozing audience members could be heard throughout the theater. The air conditioner, set at 27 degrees Celsius, was blowing a crisp, cool breeze.

The ongoing heatwave is breaking weather records. From July 1 to 29, Seoul recorded 21 tropical nights, when the nighttime temperature stays above 25 degrees. According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, the same number of tropical nights was recorded in July 1994. But with yet another tropical night on the 30th, Seoul broke the all-time record for the most tropical nights in July.

For many seniors from the 1970s and ’80s generation, the retro-style theater has become a refuge from the heat and from loneliness. Hollywood Silver Theater is operated by a social enterprise called “The Theater That Sells Memories.” Admission costs 2,000 won for those aged 55 and older, and just 1,000 won for people over 65.

Before watching the film, 73-year-old Shin Seon-gi stopped by nearby Tapgol Park to pick up a free lunchbox. He lives in Bogwang-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, and visits the park two or three times a week for meals, followed by a film at the theater to cool off. “When I was young, summers were neither this long nor this hot,” he said. “It used to cool down right after the Start of Autumn, but now it's still hot even in October. Maybe it's partly because of my age, but I think the climate’s gotten a lot more extreme too.”

Shin bought a ticket for “The 300 Spartans” and entered the theater. “Romance films make me cringe at my age. I prefer action films,” he said. But within 20 minutes of the film starting, his head began to nod. Embarrassed, he laughed and said, “I like the large subtitles, but they move too fast. It’s dark and cool here, makes me sleepy.”

For many, the daily outing is not just about the heat, but about escaping loneliness. Shin has lived alone for over a decade. His wife passed away from a heart attack in 2014, on the day Pope Francis visited Korea. “It’s a hassle to cook and eating alone feels miserable,” he said. “Opening the door just lets in a wave of heat, and I hate going outside in this weather, but still, it’s better to get out and watch a film.”

Some say the theater is a better deal than turning on the air conditioner at home. “Electricity is expensive, and when you're alone, you don’t bother to run the air conditioner,” said 84-year-old Han Yun-mo, who came to a café in the theater with three friends. The subway also remains a popular cooling spot among seniors. “I usually ride Line 2,” Han said, referring to the circular line. “It just goes round and round.”

In the summer, Hollywood Silver Theater sees more than 600 visitors a day. Kim Eun-joo, CEO of The Theater That Sells Memories, said, “More people come here than to senior centers, but the Seoul city government stopped all support starting last year.” She added, “Even if they could just help us with the electricity bill, it would mean a lot.”