THE PIONEERS (2K RESTORATION)

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FILM INFO

Title in Mandarin

源(2K數位修復)

Film Type

RESTORED CLASSICS

Year

1980/2026

Duration

131 min

THEME / GENRE

HISTORY / BIOGRAPHY

Director

Richard CHEN

Producer

Ming Ji

Cast

HSU Feng, WANG Tao, James HONG

Production Company

Central Motion Pictures Corporation

Festivals & Awards

1980 Asia Pacific Film Festival – Best Screenplay
1980 Golden Horse Awards – Best Leading Actress

Participation Goal

Festival Screening

An epic story centred on Asia’s first oil well.

During the Jiaqing reign of the Qing Dynasty, Hakka pioneers crossed the seas to Taiwan and dug Asia’s first oil well in Miaoli. From clearing wilderness to building a thriving industry, the WU Lin-fang family’s story reveals a hidden chapter in Taiwan’s industrial history. This film illustrates the coexistence of Hakka migrants and indigenous peoples, while reflecting Cold War-era stereotypes of Westerners. Viewed today, it becomes a historical testament to cultural misunderstanding and the search for identity. The film features HSU Feng and an appearance by James HONG, beloved star of the Oscar-winning Everything Everywhere All at Once.

SALES CONTACT

Company

TAIWAN FILM AND AUDIOVISUAL INSTITUTE

JOB TITLE

International Sales & Festival Specialist

Contact

Wayne HONG Chen-wei

Email

waynehong@tfai.org.tw