The first two Infernal Affairs movies are part of a tenth anniversary special presentation at the New York Asian Film Festival
INFERNAL AFFAIRS (MOU GAAN DOU) (Andrew Lau & Alan Mak, 2002)
Film Society of Lincoln Center, Walter Reade Theater
165 West 65th St. at Amsterdam Ave.
Friday, July 6, 6:00
212-875-5601
www.filmlinc.com
www.infernalaffairs.com
In 2002-2003, directors Andrew Lau and Alan Mak crafted a marvelous gangster trilogy that is nothing short of the Hong Kong version of The Godfather. The first two parts are being presented at a special tenth anniversary screening July 6 as part of the New York Asian Film Festival at Lincoln Center, with actor Will Yun Lee on hand to participate in a panel about the film and the video game Sleeping Dogs. In the first film, Yan (Tony Leung Chiu Wai) and Ming (Andy Lau) are both cops with deadly secrets, one a mole in the police department, the other deep undercover in a powerful gang. We learn a little bit about their past, but most of the film takes place in the present, as both the good guys and the bad guys try to find out who’s on which side. Eric Tsang is awesome as Sam, Wo Fat with a different sense of humor. Much of the film is played out marvelously on cell phones, which is actually more exciting than it sounds. The ending is a gem. The only drawback is that the subtitles move past in a flash and are very small, problems that are corrected in the two sequels. The film was a huge hit, earning numerous Golden Horse and Hong Kong Film Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor (Tony Leung); Martin Scorsese scored a huge hit with his outstanding remake, The Departed, which starred Leonardo DiCaprio and Jack Nicholson.
INFERNAL AFFAIRS 2 is a brilliant prequel about friendship and loyalty in a changing Hong Kong
INFERNAL AFFAIRS 2 (MOU GAAN DOU 2) (Andrew Lau & Alan Mak, 2003)
Film Society of Lincoln Center, Walter Reade Theater
165 West 65th St. at Amsterdam Ave.
Friday, July 6, 8:40
212-875-5601
www.filmlinc.com
www.infernalaffairs.com
Andrew Lau and Alan Mak’s second Infernal Affairs film is reminiscent of The Godfather Part II, as the story moves back and forth through several pasts as we learn more about Ming (Edison Chen), Yan (Shawn Yue), Wong (Anthony Wong), and Sam (Eric Tsang). Some roles are played by the same actors as in the first film, and some are not, so pay close attention. As Hong Kong approaches the hand-over to Chinese rule, the Triad war is threatening to explode, with Ming and Yan caught in the middle. Infernal Affairs 2 is an unforgettable film, gorgeously shot by Lau (who cut his teeth as cinematographer on such films as Wong Kar-wai’s Chungking Express and Ringo Lam’s City on Fire) and Ng Man Ching (Once Upon a Time in China). Much like the second Godfather film, even though you know what becomes of many of these characters, finding out about what got them there is absolutely thrilling. We love every glorious second of this movie. Don’t miss it.