The internationally renowned Festival de Cannes today announced that the Taiwanese classic The Dull-Ice Flower (1989), digitally restored by the Taiwan Film and Audiovisual Institute (TFAI), has been selected for its Cannes Classics section, becoming the only Taiwanese film officially selected for the festival this year. This distinction brings the beloved tearjerker—etched into Taiwan’s collective memory—onto the global stage through one of the world’s most prestigious film platforms.
The Dull-Ice Flower was adapted from the novel of the same name by CHUNG Chao-cheng, the revered “Mother of Taiwanese Literature.” Directed by YANG Li-kuo and written by WU Nien-jen, the film portrays the simplicity of rural Taiwan in the 1960s. Featuring a cast of innocent child actors, it combines a moving story with an unforgettable theme song of the same name, securing its place in the hearts of audiences. In TFAI’s 2023 online poll, “My Favorite Taiwanese Narrative Feature,” The Dull-Ice Flower topped the rankings with overwhelming support across all age groups. Netizens flooded the comments with messages such as “We are begging for a re-release” and “It makes me cry every time,” underscoring its irreplaceable status in audiences’ hearts and affirming its status as a cross-generational “national film.”
➤Still from the digitally restored The Dull-Ice Flower featuring HUANG Kun-hsuen (left), whose portrayal of A-Ming moved audiences to tears, and LI Shu-chen (right) as his sister Cha-Mei. (Courtesy of TFAI)
TFAI Chairperson Arthur CHU remarked: “Cannes Classics has long been a gathering place for master filmmakers and a highly competitive platform for restored works by internationally acclaimed auteurs. This year, in line with our mission to restore and promote Taiwan cinema, we made a concerted effort to reintroduce The Dull-Ice Flower—an accessible film that has moved countless Taiwanese audiences—to the festival. Its recognition and rediscovery at Cannes carry special significance.”
As the Head of Cannes Classics Gérald DUCHAUSSOY noted in the selection statement: “The Dull-Ice Flower by director YANG Li-Kuo was a marvel of kindness, joy, and laughter for us. It also brought strong cinephile and auteur value to our programming, as we aimed to reintroduce Taiwanese cinema after many years and discover a new master.”
➤YU Han (far right) portrays the passionate art teacher Mr. Kuo. (Courtesy of TFAI)
Historically, Western audiences have largely associated Taiwanese cinema with the works of New Cinema masters such as HOU Hsiao-hsien and Edward YANG. This year, The Dull-Ice Flower, with its more accessible and realist sensibility, reveals another facet of Taiwan to the world. Its iconic line, “Rich kids are better at everything,” points directly to the oppression and helplessness shaped by class divisions in CHUNG Chao-cheng’s original work, and is expected to draw attention and spark discussion among audiences worldwide.
The selection of The Dull-Ice Flower for Cannes Classics also marks TFAI’s return to Cannes after 11 years, following the 2015 screening of the digitally restored A Touch of Zen by King HU.
➤The Ku family dog in The Dull-Ice Flower is eligible to compete for the Palm Dog Award at Cannes. (Courtesy of TFAI)
Golden Horse Award-winner Mark LEE Ping-bing, the cinematographer of The Dull-Ice Flower, said upon hearing the news: “My memories of filming at the almost otherworldly Mingde Reservoir 37 years ago remain vivid. I’m delighted that a film made with such sincerity—originally intended for Taiwanese audiences and the local market—is now receiving recognition from international film festivals.” Actress LI Shu-chen, who won Best Supporting Actress at the Golden Horse Awards as a child for her portrayal of Cha-Mei in the film, also shared her thoughts: “I’m very grateful to Festival de Cannes for recognizing The Dull-Ice Flower. Through this honor, the resilience, kindness, contentment, and generosity of the people of Taiwan are once again brought before the world. This film has given me endless courage in life, and I feel deeply honored to have been a part of it at just 11 years old.”
The 79th Festival de Cannes will open on May 12 and close on May 23. Following its world premiere at Cannes, the digitally restored The Dull-Ice Flower will be re-released in Taiwanese cinemas, and a Hakka-language dubbed version is also planned, in keeping with the original context of Chung Chao-cheng’s novel.
For more information, please visit the official TFAI website(open in new window).
