Election (2005 film)

Infobox Film
name = Election


director = Johnnie To
writer = Yau Nai-Hoi
Yip Tin-Shing
starring = Simon Yam
Tony Leung Ka-Fai
Louis Koo Tin Lok
Wong Tin-Lam
producer = Dennis Law
Johnnie To
Presented by Dennis Law Charles Heung Administrative Producers Tiffany Chen Maylie Ho
distributor = flagicon|USA Tartan Films
flagicon|UKOptimum Releasing
flagicon|Hong KongChina Star Entertainment Group
flagicon|China China Film Group
released = 2005 (Hong Kong)
runtime = 101 min. (France, Cannes Film Festival)
85 min. (China, cut version)
country = flagicon|Hong Kong Hong Kong
language = Cantonese, Mandarin
followed_by = "Election 2"
amg_id = 1:329723
imdb_id = 0434008

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"Election" (zh-tspcy|t=黑社會|s=黑社会|p="Hēi shèhuì"|cy="Hak se wui"; Literal Title: "Black Society", a common Cantonese reference to the society of Triads), is a 2005 Hong Kong crime film directed by Johnnie To, and 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 the Hong Kong Triad society.

A sequel to the film, "Election 2" (also known as "Triad Election" in the United States), was released in 2006.

Movie Synopsis

The movie begins as the two-year term expires, and all the elders of the Wo Shing society are in the process of electing a new chairman, with some last-minute "campaigning" from both Lok (Simon Yam) and Big D (Leung) a few days prior to the election. After bitter arguments from supporters of both candidates in the likes of Uncle Cocky (played by veteran TV actor Tam Ping Man) 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 the meantime, Chief Superintendent Hui and the police, as well as the police in China arrests all the key figures that include Uncle Teng, Big D, Cocky, Monk and the newly-elected chairman Lok of the Wo Shing in an attempt to avoid infighting within the society. However, during a negotiation attempt in a holding cell, Big D's plans of organizing a new triad society are uncovered, which infuriates both Teng & Hui. Meanwhile, a pursuit of the baton ensues in which Kun (Blacky's henchman), who is recovering the baton for Big D catches up with Big Head (Tally's henchman), who holds the baton and is recovering it for Lok. During the confrontation, Kun severely beats Big Head with a giant log in order for him to hand out the baton when Kun's boss informs him that the plan has changed and that Kun is to recover the baton for Lok. The leaders are eventually released on bail and after hours of never-ending pursuit between Kun, Jimmy, and Jet on route, Lok eventually receives the baton from Jimmy thus making his election official.

Despite negotiations with Big D after his bail, Lok is eventually forced to murder his nemesis with a boulder during a fishing trip with his son, Denny, Big D and D's wife after Big D insisted on proposing the idea of two chairmans and the sharing of power between them. As Lok is killing D, D's wife witnesses Lok and makes a run for it causing Lok to murder her too by strangling her against a tree with a log. D and his wife are then buried before Lok drives away with Denny, who becomes petrified after witnessing his dad's brutality as the movie comes to an end.

Cast

* Simon Yam Tat-Wah: Lam Lok
* Tony Leung Ka-Fai: Big D
* Louis Koo Tin-Lok: Jimmy Lee
* Nick Cheung Ka-Fai: Jet
* Eddie Cheung Siu-Fai: Mr. So
* Lam Suet: Big Head
* Gordon Lam Ka-Tung: Kun
* Wong Tin-Lam: Uncle Teng Wai
* Maggie Siu Mei-Kei: Big D's Wife
* David Chiang: Chief Superintendent Hui
* Tam Ping-Man: Uncle Cocky
* Chan Siu-Pang: Uncle Monk
* Wang Chung: Whistle
* Che Biu-Law: Tally
* Robert Hung: Sam
* Kwok Fung: Fish Ball
* Lam Man-wai: Sparky
* Lo Hoi-Pang (voice)
* Ng Ting Yip: Senior Inspector Tad
* Andy On
* Wong Chi-Wai
* Raymond Wong Ho-Yin: Detective Wong
* Cherrie Ying
* You Yong: China Police Captain
* Yuen Bo: Dinosaur
* Yuen Bun: Incense Master

Reception

Awards

The movie is notable in being nominated for 14 Golden Horse Awards in Hong Kong cinema. The film was named best film of 2005 in the Hong Kong Film Critics Society Awards, with To also clinching best director honors for the movie.

Distribution

"Election" was sold to more than 21 territories, including to Optimum Releasing for the UK, ARP Selection for France and Hopscotch Films for Australia, after screening at the 2005 Cannes Film Festival in competition. (Tartan Films has acquired all US rights to this movie as of May 2006.)

Box Office

"Election" grossed about HK$15.59 million in Hong Kong, which is quite high for a movie that received a Category III rating (18+ restriction) in Hong Kong.

ee also

* "Election 2" (aka "Triad Election")
* List of Hong Kong films
* List of movies set in Hong Kong

External links

* [http://www.lovehkfilm.com/reviews_2/election.htm "Election"] at [http://www.lovehkfilm.com/ LoveHKFilm.com]