ELECTION / ELECTION 2

The Election films have been compared with The Godfather in the way they take crime syndicates seriously, showing how murderous violence, family, national politics and honour are woven inextricably together. These dark, moody films exude a relentless air of menace as they strip the glamour and gunplay away from the triads and take us through the battles for the top job in the Wo Shing triad. Candidates negotiate with the uncles who uphold the historical traditions of the triad societies, while they must also deal with the politics of contemporary Hong Kong as it moves inexorably into the orbit of the mainland. Once the votes are in, the real contest begins with a series of simmering confrontations involving face, money and loyalty in equal measure. One thing is certain—the quietly intense political manoeuvring will surely lead to blood, though in the best tradition of Johnnie To’s films, the violent showdowns are anything but predictable.