MFAH Film Emperors Treasures: Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon

Museum of Fine Arts, Houston presents the Emperors’ Treasures series. Complementing the exhibition Emperors’ Treasures: Chinese Art from the National Palace Museum, Taipei, this 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.

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon

Director Ang Lee
Released 2000
Language in Mandarin with English subtitles
Country Taiwan/Hong Kong/USA/China
Running Time 120 minutes
Format 35mm, Color

Named “Best Picture of the Year” by over 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 the 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).

“Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is easily the best-acted film in the martial-arts canon, and the classiest — hell, Yo-Yo Ma does the weeping cello solos — and its slant on feminist empowerment makes it the most unique. It’s great, gorgeous fun.” – Rolling Stone