The audience watched the entire film through tears.
Tips
memory
含 'to hold (in one's mouth/eyes) without letting out' + 泪 'tears' - literally 'holding tears [in the eyes]'. The image is of brimming tears that haven't yet fallen, which is exactly what the word evokes.
register
Slightly literary. Common in news headlines and emotional descriptions; in casual conversation 哭着 'while crying' is more natural.
