The Taiwan Film Institute has restored Hou Hsiao-hsien's “Cheerful Wind”. The movie was released in 1982 for lunar new year, and is part of Hou Hsiao Hsen's more commercial movies, earlier in his career. It reunites three popstars that were already in his first feature (“Cute Girl”, 1980).
“Cheerful Wind” screened at Udine Far East Film Festival 2020
Hsiao Hsing-hui (Feng Fei-fei) is a photographer working on a commercial with her boyfriend, Lo Zai (played by Anthony Chan). As they are shooting on the Pescadores Islands, they run into a blind man who plays the harmonica and the flute (quite versatile musician, you see): Ku Chin-tai (Kenny Bee). The young woman and her boyfriend go back to Taipei, only to run into the flute player. From there, an (ambiguous) friendship grows between Hsing-hui and Chin-tai.
This may not be the feature that will make you fall in love with the Taiwanese director's indie vibe, unique aestheticism, particular pace, or storytelling.
If you absolutely want to be that person who watches the movie to say they have seen all of of Hou's works, and see his evolution, there are traces of recurring elements in the filmmaker's filmography: the importance of music, the contrast between urban and rural life, the exploration of heterosexual relationships, the mention of Taiwanese specificities.
But there is no need to watch it solely because of the director. It is a very enjoyable, light film. Coming from someone who is not particularly into romantic comedies, I would watch it again. It's funny, the main characters are sympathetic (I was actually quite sad for the loser of the love-triangle), the actors are believable, it's cute without being too cheesy. There is a bit of a ‘80s' touch (the perms, the clothes, and the many zoom shots)'.
In conclusion, whether you're a fan of the Taiwanese filmmaker or not, if you're looking for a fun, light and uncomplicated rom-com, “Cheerful Wind” might be the one for you.
