2026/10/14 07:05
"Osmanthus Lane" (1987) has Lu Xiaofen (left), Zhou Huajian (right) and other superstar cast members on the same stage. (Provided by National Film, Video and Audio Center)
[Reporter Zhong Zhijun/Reporting from Taipei] After 39 years, the Taiwanese classic film "Osmanthus Alley" was digitally restored in 4K by the National Film and Television Center. It officially premiered at the Lumière Film Festival in France on the evening of the 12th, allowing this ill-fated Taiwanese film to finally return to its original appearance after nearly 40 years.
Director Chen Kunhou said excitedly before the screening: "Taiwanese is definitely one of the protagonists of "Osmanthus Lane". Fortunately, the original vocal cords are still there and can be saved!" For him, language has never been just a dubbing choice, but a part of the character's mood, the historical background, and even the soul of the entire movie.
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The National Film and Audiovisual Culture Center recovered the original Taiwanese soundtrack of "Osmanthus Alley" (1987), which was digitally restored and made its world premiere at the "Lumière Film Festival", the world's hall of classic restored films. (Provided by National Film, Video and Audio Center)
At that time, he insisted that the entire film be in Taiwanese because the story described family and life on Taiwanese soil. "I can compromise on many things, but there is really no way to compromise in Taiwanese." Now that the film can go international in its original form, it is like untying a 39-year-old knot for him.
The world premiere was of a very high standard. Thierry Frémaux, chairman of the Lumière Film Festival and artistic director of the Cannes Film Festival, personally appeared to introduce the film. He praised "Osmanthus Alley" as an important classic from "Taiwan, a major film country", and affirmed that Taiwan not only has active contemporary film creation, but also continues to invest in the preservation and restoration of film history.
Enthusiastic French audiences surrounded director Chen Kunhou after the screening of "Osmanthus Alley" (1987), asking for autographs and photos. (Provided by National Film, Video and Audio Center)
He specifically pointed out that for a place to have a thriving film culture, there must be a profound history behind it, and "Osmanthus Alley" is a calling card that allows the world to re-understand the history of Taiwanese films.
The heroine Lu Xiaofen was obviously brought back to her previous emotions from the beginning of the screening. She shed tears several times while watching the movie. She was also surrounded by French fans asking for autographs before and after the screening. She said emotionally that she never thought that the work taken 39 years ago would one day stand on such an important international stage in its restored form. "This osmanthus flower can bloom again after 39 years. It really gets more fragrant with age."
Director Chen Kunhou (left) said emotionally: "Taiwanese is definitely one of the protagonists in "Osmanthus Alley" (1987)." (Provided by the National Film and Television Center)
The cast of "Osmanthus Lane" back then seems to be even more dreamy now. In addition to Lu Xiaofen, it also assembled To Tsung-hwa, Chow Wa-kin, Simon Yam, Sun Cuifeng, Chen Shufang, Li Shuzhen and others. Even Hou Hsiao-hsien once voiced the role of To Tsung-hua.
The story centers on Gao Tihong, played by Lu Xiaofen, who goes from a fishing village girl to a wealthy family, watching her struggle with fate, marriage and the tide of the times. The return of the original Taiwanese voice allows the character's original emotional rhythm to be fully heard again.
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