Digitally Restored 'The Child of Rose' Premieres in Taoyuan! Deputy Mayor Su Junbin Presents Hand-Drawn Commemorative Artwork Honoring Literary Classic

Thirty-seven years after its original release, the classic film 'The Child of Rose' has returned to its literary hometown of Taoyuan in a stunning new form. Taoyuan City Government hosted the '2026 Taoyuan Film Festival' pre-event, the 'Special Screening of The Child of Rose (Digitally Restored Version),' last night. Deputy Mayor Su Junbin attended alongside director Yang Li-kuo, Chairman Chu Ming-jen of the Taiwan Film and Audiovisual Institute (TFAI), and renowned writer Chung Yen-wei.

The digital restoration meticulously processed over 140,000 individual frames, reviving this culturally significant work that embodies Taoyuan’s local literary heritage and spans generations of collective memory. It was presented to the public as a tribute to those passionate about local culture and cinematic classics.

TFAI explained that the restoration project was led by the National Film and Audiovisual Culture Center. The team painstakingly restored every frame across the entire film, perfectly preserving the visual details from 37 years ago. Chairman Chu Ming-jen highlighted a touching local connection: the 12-color crayons and the iconic white dove logo featured in the film are signature products of Lion Stationery, a long-established manufacturer based in Longtan, Taoyuan.

The special screening invited Chen Cheng-han, Director-General of the Da Beikeng Rural Development Association, which protects the literary landscape of Chung Chao-cheng, and Liao Hsiang-ling, a parent representative from Sanhe Elementary School in Longtan. Su Junbin noted that this year marks the 80th anniversary of Sanhe Elementary School, whose founding principal was Chung Hui-ke, father of literary giant Chung Chao-cheng.

In honor of the occasion, Deputy Mayor Su personally hand-drew a commemorative motif integrating local symbols—Rose of Sharon, bitter tea flowers, and tung blossoms—and produced special notebooks gifted to the director and guests, symbolizing the passing down of the spirit of 'The Child of Rose.'

Director Yang Li-kuo reflected on the deep connection between the film and Taoyuan, recalling that his early days in the film industry began as a script supervisor near the Shihmen Reservoir, forming a lasting emotional bond with the city.

Chung Yen-wei, a celebrated writer and son of Chung Chao-cheng, emphasized that since its debut in the 1960s, the original novel has continued to address enduring themes such as class disparity, education, and land rights. Through cinematic adaptation, it once again bridges literature and local memory.

Su Junbin shared how the film inspired him personally. As a child, after failing to enter an art class, he found renewed courage in the story of protagonist Gu A-ming, prompting him to pick up his paintbrush again—a moment of inspiration that continues to resonate with him today.

The 13th Taoyuan Film Festival will officially run from August 14 to 27. This year’s festival centers on the theme 'Prospect & Vision,' featuring 10 curated program sections. A total of 101 films and audiovisual works—including 40 premieres—will be screened across 139 sessions at various venues throughout Taoyuan. Residents and film enthusiasts are encouraged to attend and explore local memories through diverse perspectives while broadening their global outlook.