Election

2005 Crime Drama

A crime family flirts with democracy, leading to a fierce gangland battle in this stylish crime drama from Hong Kong director Johnnie To. With over 50,000 members, the Wo Shing Society is one of the largest and most powerful Triads in Hong Kong, and when the leadership committee needs a new head man, they decide to put the matter to a vote of their underlings. The two candidates are Lok (Simon Yam), a cool leader who doesn't rattle easily, and Big D (Tony Leung Kar-Fai), who has a short temper and is prone to violence. After Uncle Weng (Wong Tin-lam), an elderly and well-regarded member of the Triad, gives Lok his endorsement, he wins by a landslide, which does not sit well with Big D's uncertain temper. A ceremonial walking stick which is given to the Wo Shing Society's elected leader has disappeared, and Big D will stop at nothing to make sure it stays out of Lok's hands; meanwhile, the Hong Kong police are determined to bring down the Triad, and Big D ends up behind bars. The Wo Shing Society falls into chaos as in-fighting threatens to tear the Triad apart before the walking stick can be returned and Lok can be inaugurated as their new chief. Election (aka Hak Sewui) was a major box office success in Asia, and the story continued the following year in Election 2 (aka Hak se wui yi wo wai kwai). more..

Director: Johnny To

Starring: Simon Yam, Tony Leung Ka Fai, Louis Koo, Nick Cheung, Lam Ka Tung

Reviews

  • By the end, 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 - The New York Times

    19 January 2013

  • Johnny To is considered one of the best action filmmakers in Hong Kong, and in this smart, stylized gangland thriller (2005) he looks at the messy inner workings of a triad.

    - Chicago Reader

    19 January 2013

  • Mostly Election tracks the shifting of power among men for whom power is all that matters, no matter how much lip service they pay to loyalty. The final sequence is a shocker but it's also completely logical.

    Ty Burr - The Boston Globe

    19 January 2013

  • A poignant moment occurs in Election when a young boy sees his father brutally beat another mobster to death.

    V.A. Musetto - New York Post

    19 January 2013

  • Some general viewers may feel let down by the relatively scant action.

    Derek Elley - Variety

    19 January 2013

Awards

  • Johnnie To

    Cannes Film Festival (2005)

     
  • Best Screenplay - Original

    Golden Horse Film Festival (2005)

  • Best Actor

    Hong Kong Film Awards (2006)

  • Best Director

    Hong Kong Film Critics Society Awards (2006)

  • Johnnie To

    Sitges - Catalonian International Film Festival (2005)