Evening Rain

At the tail end of the Cultural Revolution, Qiu Shi, a poet who has been in prison for six years, is transferred elsewhere by boat under the guard of two officers. During transit, he meets a series of passengers, who have also faced hardships in recent times.

Directed by Wu Yonggang, Wu Yigong, Evening Rain leans on a strong ensemble — Li Zhiyu, Zhang Yu, Lin Bin — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about drama titles of 1980.