The best 70th birthday gift! Lu Xiaofen's silver dress shines domineeringly in France, "Osmanthus Alley" stuns the world

2026/10/12 07:40

[Reporter Zhong Zhijun/Reporting from Taipei] After nearly 40 years, the Taiwanese classic film "Osmanthus Alley" was selected for the "Lumière Classics" classic section of the Lumière Film Festival this year after the National Film and Television Center completed the 4K digital restoration of the Taiwanese original audio. Directors Chen Kunhou, Lu Xiaofen and Chu Mingren, chairman of the Film and Television Center, recently arrived in Lyon, France, and walked on the opening red carpet with Tsui Hark, Zhang Ziyi, Elaine Jacobs, Todd Haynes and other international filmmakers, allowing Taiwanese classics to be seen by the world.

"Osmanthus Alley" director Chen Kunhou (right) and leading actress Lu Xiaofen arrived in France and walked on the red carpet to attend the opening of the Lumiere Film Festival in France. (Provided by National Film, Video and Audio Center)

Lu Xiaofen was on her way to France and celebrated her 70th birthday on the plane. Her work was selected for an international film festival and the big day of her life came together. She happily exclaimed: "This is the best birthday gift in life!" She recalled that when she was filming "Osmanthus Lane", she never thought that one day she would be featured in a French film festival because of this work. She also laughed and said that in her early years, she often played strong roles such as country women and revenge girls. "I am really grateful to Director Chen Kunhou for making me so elegant and beautiful in "Osmanthus Alley"!"

Please read on...

Director Chen Kunhou (from left), Lu Xiaofen, Mayor of Lyon Grégory Doucet, Chairman of the Film and Audiovisual Center Chu Mingren, and Deputy Mayor of Lyon for Cultural Affairs Philoméne Récamier attended the opening reception. (Provided by National Film, Video and Audio Center)

Lu Xiaofen appeared in a silver dress that night, while Chen Kunhou appeared in a neat look. After decades, the two entered the international film scene with "Osmanthus Lane" again, which also gave this red carpet an extra layer of "old friends reunited".

"Osmanthus Lane" not only won Lu Xiaofen the Best Actress at the Asia-Pacific Film Festival, but now the restored version has been selected into the Lumière Film Festival's global classic restoration list, which is like an old movie getting a second life.

The National Film and Television Center's 4K digital restoration of "Osmanthus Alley" restored the original Taiwanese sound and was selected into the "Lumière Classics" section of the Lumière Film Festival in France. (Provided by National Film, Video and Audio Center)

This year, Taiwan’s presence at the Lumière Film Festival is not limited to “Osmanthus Alley.” The Film and Audio Center simultaneously launched the "Taiwan in Focus" Taiwan special topic in cooperation with the Lumiere Classic Film Market Exhibition. Taiwan has also become the first non-European and American country in the history of this film festival to serve as the theme country. From classic film screenings, restoration projects, industry forums to film poster exhibitions, Taiwan's film history is comprehensively brought to France.

Actress Lu Xiaofen was on the plane heading to France, just in time to celebrate her 70th birthday. (Provided by National Film, Video and Audio Center)

Coinciding with the 70th anniversary of Taiwanese films, and the 100th birthday of movie poster master Chen Zifu, many of his classic hand-painted posters were on display. Among them, "The Heroic Sika Deer" even fascinated the mayor of Lyon, Grégory Doucet. He said he was curious about how Taiwan could produce such a fantastic film half a century ago. He also made a wish on the spot, hoping that he would have the opportunity to see this work at the Lumiere Film Festival in the future.

No need to draw, no need to grab. Now use the APP to read the news. You are guaranteed to win every day. Click me to download the APP. Click me to see the event details.