“Mr. To has proven himself to be a genre hack of uncommon intelligence and soul: a first-rate entertainer who can thrill you into thinking.”
A.O. Scott – New York Times

Best known for his action films, Director Johnnie To delivers a brassy gangster film centred on a power struggle within a Triad society at election time, without a gun in sight. Nominated for a Palme d’Or at the 2005 Cannes Film Festival Election features an all-star cast including Tony Leung as Big D, the reckless and zealous youth and Simon Yam as Lok, the respected elder and eventual victor.

The largest and oldest Triad, The Wo Shing Society, Hong Kong is 50,000 strong and every two years the ‘uncles’ appoint a new director from an elite assembly of candidates. Amongst the forerunners is Big D, who tries to buy his way to the top by bribing influential senators and Lok, who keeps his cool with the support of respected elder, Uncle Teng. In addition to the time-honoured election ritual, a bizarre and comical sub plot surfaces surrounding the recouping of the society’s treasured leadership symbol; a dragonhead baton that has been slipped away to the mainland. The action heats up as the ancient totem almost provokes a civil war with another Triad gang and the henchmen scuffle for the prized possession. Night-fighting and squabbling provide an appealing contrast to the cat-and-mouse board room antics of the election. Lok restores the peace when his boys retrieve this sacred piece of timber which in turn consolidates his win.