It's past midnight, but Kenting Boulevard in Hengchun is still swamped with tourists, the neon lights bright enough to convince them the night is still young. The seaside town on the southernmost tip of Taiwan has never seen such an influx of tourists, especially during low season.
Call it Cape No 7 fever. Director Wei Te-sheng's debut feature has garnered at least NT$500 million (HK$116 million) at the box office since its commercial release in August. That makes the romantic comedy Taiwan's biggest homegrown hit and the second top-grossing movie on the island after Titanic.
The unexpected popularity of Cape No 7 hasn't only boosted the fortunes of its cast and director (Wei mortgaged his home to help finance the NT$50 million production), it has lifted tourism in Hengchun, where the movie was filmed. The town is normally a gateway for tourists to nearby Kenting National Park, but officials expect the movie will double its 4 million arrivals this year.
'Business is usually poor this time of year, even during the weekends, but because of Cape No 7 tourists still come despite the strong winds in winter,' says Lin Li-feng, whose family operates homestay and tour services in Kenting.
Vendors on Kenting Boulevard have done a roaring trade selling beaded chokers similar to those worn by characters in the movie. A chain with a glass bead that used to cost NT$50 now sells for NT$500. But visitors such as university student Nancy Chao pay without complaint.
'The beads are very popular now, so I don't mind paying more,' says Chao, 22. The film made such an impression that she and 12 other friends from the southern city of Tainan decided to visit the town.