While the Cinematheque's theatrical venues remain closed, our view-at-home series continues this week with a restoration of an action masterpiece rarely screened in the U.S.

RAINING IN THE MOUNTAIN (KONG SHAN LING YU, Taiwan/Hong Kong, 1979, 122 min., Mandarin with English subtitles) Hailed as “spectacular, exhilarating entertainment” in the New York Times, Raining in the Mountain is one of the final signature achievements of Hong Kong’s original action master, King Hu (Dragon Inn, A Touch of Zen). In a Ming Dynasty monastery, competing bands of thieves, corrupt monks, and martial artists converge as the temple’s abbot, charged with protecting a sacred scroll, prepares to name his successor. Hu’s aesthetic and technical powers are in full effect in this nimble battle of wits, brought to life through his characteristic finely tuned choreography and balletic action sequences.

“Visually gorgeous and notably abstract… one of his best” (J. Hoberman, New York Review of Books).

For a limited time, the Cinematheque has a limited number of opportunities to view Raining in the Mountain at home for free. To receive instructions on how to view-at-home, send an email to info@cinema.wisc.edu remember to include the word RAINING in the subject line. No further message is necessary.

New on our Cinematalk podcast, the Cinematheque's Mike King talks about King Hu with renowned film scholar and Planet Hong Kong author David Bordwell. Listen to Cinematalk below or subscribe through Apple Podcasts.

Stay healthy and safe. We value your support for the Cinematheque and we look forward to being able to watch movies with you soon in the proper cinematic settings of 4070 Vilas Hall and the Chazen Museum of Art.