Photo Credit ＆Article Source ：Taiwan Film and Audiovisual Institute
Translated by Lawrence Kou (郭令鈞)
The production of a documentary about Yang Li-hua, the renowned Taiwanese opera diva, has officially begun after a year of development. This announcement was made by PTS, TTV, and Taiwan Film and Audiovisual Institute (TFAI) with an immersive exhibition show on May 30th.
The primary objective of the documentary is to capture the essence of Yang Li-hua's six-decade-long performance career. The film is directed by Tseng Wen-chen (曾文珍), who received the 39th Golden Horse Award for Best Documentary Feature. The film is expected to come out in 2025 or 2026.
Shih Che, the Minister of Culture, emphasized that Taiwanese opera holds a significant place in the local entertainment market of Taiwan. Yang Li-hua successfully transited the art into television media from the 1970s, which created a popular cultural phenomenon and a golden time for half a century. The combined efforts of TFAI's archive, PTS and TTV will provide us with the opportunity to once again witness the diva charisma of Yang Li-hua. Minister Shih expressed the hope that in addition to theatrical release, the documentary will also be available on streaming platforms, showcasing the immense love and adoration of Taiwanese audience for Yang Li-hua, which inspired the title of the documentary: The First Love of Taiwanese for a Century.
Yang Li-hua is the first performer breaking the boundary of genders. She used to play a leading actress in Taiwanese films and at the same time play heroes in Taiwanese opera. She is the king and the diva, and she wins the hearts of numerous Taiwanese women audiences throughout the century and several generations. Her captivating gaze on TV opera shows was like Alain Delon’s look. To Taiwanese people, Yang Li-hua defined the era of Taiwanese opera TV shows, and is an eternal superstar and the apple of the eye.