Lovers' Rock

After joining Shaw Brothers Studio’s first intake of acting trainees at the Southern Experimental Theatre Company, Cheng Pei-pei quickly stood out for her talent. Her screen debut came with Lovers’ Rock, in which she was already cast in the leading role. Set in a picturesque fishing village, the film follows Chiu-tzu (Cheng Pei-pei), the daughter of a wealthy local family, who has grown up alongside the young fisherman Ta-kuei (Huang Tsung-hsin). Their relationship is tested when she meets Chin Yu (Chiao Chuang), a college student from the city, who stays in the village when captivated by her. When Ta-kuei disappears at sea, she gradually finds herself drawn to the newcomer. But Ta-kuei’s unexpected return leaves her caught in a tangled love triangle, further complicated by another village girl who has long harboured feelings for Ta-kuei.

Directed by Pan Lei, an arthouse filmmaker as well as an accomplished novelist, Lovers’ Rock was his first collaboration with Shaw Brothers. The film was selected as Taiwan’s submission for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. Showcasing the striking natural scenery of a fishing village, the film also features the dramatic rock formations in Yehliu Geopark, years before they became Taiwan’s well-known tourist attraction. In her debut performance, Cheng is utterly charming, bringing playful energy to the screen.

Date	Time	Venue
2/10/2026 (Fri)	11:00am	Cinema, Hong Kong Film Archive

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