Following the rumor that the Chinese government had banned the Taiwanese film Cape No. 7 (海角七號; Hai Jiao Qihao) from being released on the mainland, comes new word that Cape No. 7 will indeed be released in China. According to the Taiwan-based English language newspaper China Times, Cape No. 7 will see a Valentine’s Day release in China.

Cape No. 7, the highest grossing Taiwanese film of all time, shot to the top of the Taiwanese box office this past summer. In short, the film tells an optimistic love story between a Taiwanese musician and a Japanese model/manager. At the same time, a love story, from 60 years prior, is told through letters.

Rumor had it that the Chinese government was blocking the release of Cape No. 7 on the mainland because of its pro-Japan sentiment. But this does not seem to be the case any longer, and I’m glad that Chinese people will be able to experience the movie.

Cape No. 7 stars Van Fan (范逸臣; Fan Yichen), an underrated and too often overlooked Mandarin singer. Cape No. 7 made it clear that he’s a good actor, but Van’s musical talent also runs deep. Van is known for his cover of “I Believe,” (originally sung by Shin Seung Hun for the Korean movie My Sassy Girl). His 2006 album Unspoken Tenderness (不說出的溫柔; Bu Shuo Chu De Wen Rou) received mild attention for beautiful tracks like “Love Story.”

Music plays a big role in Cape No. 7, and the soundtrack continues to enjoy a position on Taiwan’s G-Music charts. Songs like “South of the Border” (國境之南; Guo Jing Zhi Nan) and “Love Letter” (情書; Qing Shu) – sung by Van Fan – are beautifully orchestrated and sung with feeling. “South of the Border” was selected as the best movie song at the 2008 Golden Horse Awards in Taiwan.

Mainland China will also get a taste of Rachel Liang (梁文音; Liang Wenying), who plays a small role in Cape No. 7. Rachel, a darling of Taiwan’s Superstar Avenue competition (星光大道), also recently released a new album that – coupled with her role in Cape No. 7 – looks to be putting her on the path to success.

Cape No. 7 Trailer

Personally, I think the Chinese government is taking a step in the right direction here. Not only will mainland Chinese citizens be able to see Cape No. 7, but they’ll also be introduced to new music and new artists.