Lyon:A 4K-restored version of the Taiwanese drama film "Osmanthus Alley" was screened at the 18th Lumière Festival in Lyon, France, after being selected for the festival's Lumière Classics section. The film, directed by Chen Kun-hou and originally released in 1987, is set in the early 1900s and tells the story of an orphaned girl, portrayed by Lu Hsiao-fen, who faces adversity with resilience.

According to Focus Taiwan, the Taiwan Film and Audiovisual Institute (TFAI) undertook the restoration of the film, recovering its original Taiwanese Hokkien audio from the Mandarin version. Support from the Taiwan Cultural Center in Paris under the Ministry of Culture facilitated the travel of Chen, Lu, and TFAI Chairman Arthur Chu to Lyon for the screening at Pathé Bellecour cinema.

Festival director Thierry Frémaux, also head of the Cannes Film Festival, introduced the film, praising Taiwan's significant contributions to cinema and its vibrant contemporary film scene. He highlighted the island's cinematic heritage, supported by institutions and efforts to restore classic films.

Chen expressed that restoring "Osmanthus Alley" allows audiences to appreciate Taiwan's early architecture and cultural history. He reflected on the century-old filmmaking equipment at the Musée Lumière, which reinforced his passion for cinema. Lu shared her surprise and gratitude for the film's enduring impact and its selection for the Lumière Festival.

The Lumière Classics section honors world cinema heritage with restored films, with selections from nearly 180 submissions globally. The Lumière Festival, named after the Lumière brothers, celebrates cinema history and runs from October 10 to 18.