The Arch

2025 4K restoration by M+, through the support of CHANEL

Official Selection, 2025 Cannes Film Festival
Official Selection, 2025 Toronto International Film Festival

Premiered at the 1968 San Francisco Film Festival, The Arch was one of the earliest art-house films and independent productions from Hong Kong. Adapting a Chinese folktale about a widow torn between her amorous desires and moral obligations, the film examines gender roles in traditional Chinese society, where such plight has rarely been confronted openly. Madam Tung (Lisa Lu), a devoted widow, is to be honoured by the court with the establishment of a chastity archway in her name. However, she finds herself developing feelings for Captain Yang (Roy Chiao), who is staying in her study, for whom her daughter (Hilda Chou) also harbours afection.