The Hole (1998)

The Hole (1998)

In a world where reality crumbles, a water shortage sets the stage for an unforgettable cinematic journey

7.7

Movie

France, Taiwan
Mandarin
Drama, Romance, Science Fiction
1998
TSAI MING-LIANG
Chen Shiang-Chyi, Lee Kang-sheng, Lu Yi-Ching
95 min

What it's about

In the final days of the year 1999, almost everyone in Taiwan has died from a strange plague that ravished the island. As rain pours down relentlessly, a single man is stuck with an unfinished plumbing job and a hole in his floor. This results in a very odd relationship with the woman who lives below him.

The take

Directed by Tsai Ming-liang, this unconventional story follows the lives of two neighbors who share a crumbling apartment in the midst of a strange, inexplicable epidemic. Blending a quiet drama with exciting musical numbers, the characters' lives intertwine in unexpected ways, blurring the line between reality and fantasy. With its masterful use of long takes and minimal dialogue, there is a haunting atmosphere that lingers in every shot. In hindsight, this film perfectly captures our recent pandemic-stricken world; the effects of cabin fever condensed in absurd trippy sequences. As with many Tsai Ming-liang films, it is a must-watch for fans of simpler, yet mesmerizing, art-house cinema.

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