MFAH Film Series WUXIA WONDERS: MARTIAL ARTS ON SCREEN Opens This Weekend

To accompany its art exhibit Emperors' Treasures: Chinese Art from the National Palace Museum, Taipei, the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston presents the film series WUXIA WONDERS: MARTIAL ARTS ON SCREEN. "The film series brings to the big screen sparkling digital restorations of two classics of the wuxia (martial arts) genre by legendary filmmaker King Hu, as well as Ang Lee's extraordinary CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON," says the museum's website. See film descriptions, trailers, and screening information below!

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A TOUCH OF ZEN (King Hu)
King Hu's 1971 magnum opus-presented in the original, uncut version-is at once a sprawling epic of religious proportions and an anthology of profoundly entertaining action sequences. Fugitive noblewoman Yang (Hsu Feng), at risk of being captured and executed, hides in a small village and then escapes into the wilderness with a shy scholar and two aides. The quartet faces a massive group of fighters and is joined by a band of Buddhist monks surprisingly skilled in the art of battle. The drama weds glorious action sequences with insightful philosophy and a cinematic grace unmatched to this day. [Organizer's Description]

A TOUCH OF ZEN showtimes are Oct 16, 2016 at 5 p.m.and Oct 23, 2016 at 5 p.m. The 1971 film is presented in Mandarin with English subtitles. For information, please visit mfah.org/calendar/a-touch-of-zen. Official trailer below.

DRAGON INN (King Hu)

During the Ming dynasty, the emperor's minister of defense is framed by a powerful court eunuch and executed, and the minister's family is pursued by secret police. In the ensuing chase, a mysterious band of strangers begins to gather at the remote Dragon Gate Inn, where paths (and swords) will cross.

Director King Hu encouraged his martial-arts choreographers to draw from the alternately fluid and rhythmic movements of Chinese opera. Rather than resorting to fast or slow motion, footage printed backward, animation, or other early special-effects techniques, the filmmaker relied as much as possible on the actual skills of his performers and on the magic of editing. [Organizer's Description]

DRAGON INN showtimes are Oct 21, 2016 at 7:30 p.m. and Oct 22, 2016 at 7 p.m. The 1967 film is presented in Mandarin with English subtitles. For more information, please visit mfah.org/calendar/dragon-inn. Official trailer below.

CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON (Ang Lee)

Named "Best Picture of the Year" by more than 100 critics, this action-packed box-office smash-set against 19th-century China's breathtaking landscape-follows two master warriors faced with their greatest challenge and a young aristocrat preparing for an arranged marriage.

Named "Best Picture of the Year" by more than 100 critics nationwide! Two master warriors (Chow Yun Fat and Michelle Yeoh) are faced with their greatest challenge when the treasured Green Destiny sword is stolen. A young aristocrat (Zhang Ziyi) prepares for an arranged marriage, but soon reveals her superior fighting talents and her deeply romantic past. As each warrior battles for justice, they come face to face with their worst enemy-and the inescapable, enduring power of love. Set against 19th-century China's breathtaking landscape, CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON is an action-packed box-office smash from acclaimed director Ang Lee(Sense and Sensibility; The Ice Storm) featuring stunning martial-arts choreography by Yuen Wo Ping (The Matrix). [Organizer's Description]

CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON Showtimes are Nov 25, 2016 at 7 p.m., Nov 26, 2016 at 7 p.m., and Nov 27, 2016 at 5 p.m. The film, released in 2000, is presented in Mandarin with English subtitles. For more information, please visit mfah.org/calendar/crouching-tiger. Official trailer below.

WUXIA WONDERS: MARTIAL ARTS ON SCREEN opens October 16 and continues through November 27 at MFAH, 1001 Bissonnet. For more information, call 713-639-7300 or visit mfah.org/calendar/series/emperors-treasures. $9. Discounts available for MFAH members, students with ID, seniors (65+).

Most films are screened in the Museum's Brown Auditorium Theater. Please enter the Caroline Wiess Law Building at the Main Street entrance.

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