Depicting alleyways and old house stories – Tainan tourism microfilm "Happiness Office"

Reported by You T●-Ru / Comprehensive report

The happiness index of a city does not lie in how many skyscrapers it has, but in whether the people living in its alleys are happy and contented. Today (23rd), the Tainan City Government Tourism Bureau released the tourism microfilm "Happiness Office." Filming began last November, with the story starting at an old house frequented by Tainan’s youth, capturing the unique sense of happiness that Tainan offers.


▲ The story begins with a teacher. (Photo / from YouTube)

The 19-minute microfilm "Happiness Office" has been produced in Chinese, English, and Japanese versions. The story starts at an old house popular among Tainan’s youth, and centers around a group called the “Happiness Office,” formed by Alin, Big Fatty, and Wally to help others realize their dreams. Ayako comes to Taiwan carrying her grandmother’s dream. Armed with a photo of a “miracle hand,” she searches for her grandmother’s first love, “Tangazawa,” a Japanese chef. She asks the “Happiness Office” for help. Though the three quirky members repeatedly hit dead ends, they eventually find the answer in a Japanese restaurant.


▲ Tainan’s Butokuden also appears in the film. (Photo / from YouTube)
 
Directed by renowned director and Golden Horse Award-winning actor Chen Wen-bin, the film stars Zhu Lei-an (playing Lin Huizi / Miyuki Ayako), Izumi Naoki (playing Tangazawa Saburo / Tangazawa Akira), Liao Li-ling (playing Alin), as well as members of Fish Jumping Industry—Devil and Xia Da-fatty (playing Wally and Big Fatty, respectively). The film blends past and present scenes and was shot on location at Sìdiàn Wǔmiào (Sacrificial Temple to Martial Deities), Butokuden, the terrace of an old house, Wú Yuán (Wu Garden), Zhenfa Tea House, Jiājiāxī Lǚshè (Jiājiā West Inn), Wú Wànchūn Incense Shop, Línqín Second-hand Bookstore, Yì Japanese Pub, and Xiǎo Fāngzhōu Japanese Pub. With its fresh and lively content, the film vividly showcases the kindness and warmth of Tainan people, while featuring multiple distinctive Tainan landmarks throughout the storyline.

Director Chen Wen-bin said that Tainan is always brimming with new creativity and emerging stories. What leaves the deepest impression about Tainan are its “people,” “history,” and “land.” Centered around these three elements, the story of the Happiness Office captures the flavor, simplicity, and depth of Tainan people. He added that this story and script would not work or carry the same feeling of happiness if removed from Tainan. Chen Wen-bin is known for portraying authentic local emotions and social awareness in his works. He won the Golden Horse Award for Best Actor for "No Puedo Vivir Sin Ti" ("Cannot Live Without You"). His films "Southland Days" and "Taiya Millennium" both won the Platinum Remi Award for Best Feature Film at the WorldFest-Houston International Film Festival, marking remarkable achievements.


▲ Microfilm "Happiness Office." (Video / from YouTube)