The Godfather meets Japanese yakuza films in Johnnie To’s Election and Election 2, with Hong Kong gangsters portrayed as suave, yet violent and deceitful
- In Johnnie To’s first Election film, Simon Yam plays Lok, a suave leader who vies with Tony Leung’s Big D for leadership of the triads – Hong Kong crime gangs
- Asian film expert Frank Djeng says Election and Election 2 showed the hypocrisy of refined yet ruthless gangsters, but were criticised for glorifying criminals
Election, directed by Johnnie To Kei-fung in 2005, is unusual for a film about triads, as there are no action scenes. Instead, the film focuses on the internal dramas of a group of crime bosses in Hong Kong as they elect their leader.
Simon Yam Tat-wah plays a cool-headed gangster who’s competing for the leadership with a violent rival played by Tony Leung Ka-fai.The director shows that, although the bosses seem refined, they are violent and deceitful underneath.
Election 2 (2006) took up the story of young triad Jimmy (Louis Koo Tin-lok), and showed it was impossible for him to leave the triads even though he wanted to go straight. The film became political by weaving police corruption in mainland China into the story.
The Post asked expert on Asian film Frank Djeng, who provides the commentary for Chameleon Films’ forthcoming international release of both movies, about To’s films.
Election is unusual, as it’s a triad film without any action. What was Johnnie To aiming for?
There’s not a lot of action in the first one and ... not much violence in it, although there is violence in the sequel.