The Hole

Taiwan/France | 1998 | Tsai Ming-liang

This apocalyptic masterpiece that was one of the most original films of the 1990s has a new relevance for our polarized, pandemic-paralyzed age. In an unnamed city emptied out by an epidemic and assailed by endless rain, a lonely young man living in a crumbling apartment building begins a tentative, initially adversarial relationship with the solitary woman below him through a hole in his floor/her ceiling. The movie’s drab, damp atmosphere is buoyed by dry wit and colorful, tuneful, retro musical interludes. Cleveland revival premiere. Mandarin with subtitles. 95 min.

The Hole, a Cinematheque streaming exclusive, can be viewed online from 9/4 thru at least 9/24 via the link below. (Doing so supports the Cinematheque.) Screening fee is $8, and after opening the film, you have 72 hours to watch it.  

https://bigworldpictures.vhx.tv/products/the-hole-the-cleveland-cinematheque