The Hole (1998 film)

Plot

A strange disease hits Taiwan just before the turn of the new millennium. Despite evacuation orders, tenants of a rundown apartment building stay put, including shop owner Hsiao-Kang (Kang-sheng Lee).

One day, a plumber arrives at Hsiao-Kang's apartment to check the pipes. He drills a small hole into the floor, which comes down through the ceiling of the woman downstairs (Kuei-Mei Yang).

The hole never gets repaired, and this leads to some tension between the two residents.

Cast

Production

The film was made for the 2000, Seen By... project, initiated by the French company Hout et Court to produce films depicting the approaching turn of the millennium seen from the perspectives of 10 different countries.

Reception

The Hole was entered into the 1998 Cannes Film Festival. It was nominated for the Golden Palm award and won the FIPRESCI Prize (competition) "for its daring combination of realism and apocalyptic vision, desperation and joy, austerity and glamour." It also won three Silver Screen Awards at the Singapore International Film Festival - for best Asian feature film, best Asian director, and best Asian actress.

The film has an 80% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes.