Election (2005 film)
| Election | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Traditional | 黑社會 |
| Simplified | 黑社会 |
| Mandarin | Hēi Shè Huì |
| Cantonese | Hak1 Se5 Wui2 |
| Directed by | Johnnie To |
| Produced by |
Dennis Law Johnnie To |
| Written by |
Yau Nai-hoi Yip Tin-shing |
| Starring |
Simon Yam Tony Leung Ka-fai Louis Koo Nick Cheung |
| Music by | Lo Ta-yu |
| Cinematography | Cheng Siu-Keung |
| Edited by | Patrick Tam |
|
Production
company |
|
| Distributed by | China Star Entertainment Group |
|
Release date
|
|
|
Running time
|
101 minutes |
| Country | Hong Kong |
| Language | Cantonese Mandarin |
| Box office | US$2,191,782 |
Election (Chinese: 黑社會; literal title: Black Society, a common Cantonese reference to the triads), is a 2005 Hong Kong crime film directed by Johnnie To. Featuring a large ensemble cast, the film stars Simon Yam and Tony Leung Ka-fai as two gang leaders engaged in a power struggle to become the new leader of a Hong Kong triad.
The film premiered as an "Official Selection" at the 2005 Cannes Film Festival, before being released in Hong Kong on 20 October 2005, with a Category III rating. A sequel to the film, Election 2 (also known as Triad Election in the United States), concluded the film, and was released in 2006.
The movie begins as the two-year term expires, and all the elders of the Wo Luen Shing are in the process of electing a new chairman, with some last-minute "campaigning" from both Lok and Big D just a few days prior to the election. Lok is calm, patient and even-tempered, while Big D, who attempts to buy the election, is boisterous, impatient and quick-tempered. After bitter arguments from supporters of both candidates in the likes of Uncle Cocky and Uncle Monk, Lok is elected as the new chairman. However, Big D is dismayed by the result and proceeds to punish two men responsible for his loss by kidnapping them and rolling them down a hill in boxes, prompting ex-chairman Whistle to ask his lieutenant Four-Eye to hide the dragon head baton, which is a symbol of power for the leader.
In an attempt to keep the peace and prevent infighting, the police, headed by Chief Superintendent Hui, arrest the key Triad figures, including Uncle Teng, Big D, Uncle Cocky, Uncle Monk and the newly elected chairman Lok of the Wo Luen Shing. However, during a negotiation attempt in a holding cell, Big D, in a fit of rage, threatens to break with the Triad and form his own society. The culture of the Triad emphasises brotherhood and unity; such a revolt would not be accepted by the Triad, and would lead to heavy violence. Both the heads of the Triad and the police want to avoid turf warfare.
...
Wikipedia