Taiwanese Cinema Shines at Lumière Festival with 'Osmanthus Alley' Restoration

Taiwanese cinema is currently receiving a special national focus at the International Classic Film Market (MIFC), part of the esteemed Lumière Festival in Lyon. This marks a significant milestone as it's the first time a non-European country has been granted such a dedicated spotlight. Spearheading this initiative, the Taiwan Film and Audiovisual Institute (TFAI) is proudly showcasing a newly restored 4K version of Chen Kun-hou’s acclaimed film, "Osmanthus Alley," presented in its original Taiwanese dialect. The film’s world premiere at the festival on October 12th was attended by director Chen and lead actress Lu Hsiao-fen, generating considerable interest from international distributors and programmers.

This restoration effort is part of a broader strategy by TFAI to introduce Taiwan’s rich cinematic history to a global audience. "Osmanthus Alley," originally released in Mandarin due to governmental language policies at the time, now re-emerges with its authentic Taiwanese soundtrack, fulfilling director Chen’s initial artistic vision. The film, adapted from Hsiao Li-hung’s novel, tells the poignant story of Thik-hông, an orphan navigating life within a wealthy family, facing early widowhood, and the painful separation from her son. Its re-release coincides with the 70th anniversary of Taiwanese-language cinema and anticipates TFAI's upcoming focus on literary adaptations, further fueled by Chen’s 2023 Golden Horse Awards lifetime achievement recognition.

The meticulous restoration process involved preserving the film from its original 35mm negative, repairing missing frames, and reconstructing the Taiwanese soundtrack from six primary audio reels. Technicians carefully treated mold spots and specks while consulting closely with director Chen to ensure the final color grading remained true to the original photography. This project is a testament to TFAI's commitment to cinematic preservation, as they restore 10 to 12 films annually, holding a collection of approximately 20,000 titles. Beyond "Osmanthus Alley," TFAI is actively seeking distribution and festival opportunities for other restored works, such as Yao Feng-pan’s "All in the Dim Cold Night," aiming to expand the international presence and appreciation of Taiwanese cinema beyond its well-known New Cinema movement.

The dedication to restoring and promoting Taiwanese films not only preserves cultural heritage but also fosters international dialogue and understanding through the universal language of cinema. By presenting these classics to new audiences, TFAI is building bridges and creating a vibrant future for the island's unique storytelling tradition.