Lok (Simon Yam) is caught in the middle of an epic battle for leadership in Johnnie To’s Election
ELECTION (HAK SE WUI) (Johnnie To, 2005)
Film Society of Lincoln Center, Walter Reade Theater
165 West 65th St. at Amsterdam Ave.
Friday, July 7, 8:30
Festival runs June 30 – July 15
212-875-5601
www.filmlinc.org
www.subwaycinema.com
Johnnie To’s Election is the thinking man’s gangster picture, a psychological thriller that does not depend on blood and violence to get its message across. Cool-headed Lok (Simon Yam) and wild-eyed Big D (Tony Leung Ka-fai) both want to be elected the next chairman of the Wo Sing Society, but when the uncles choose Lok, Big D refuses to accept their decision. Instead, he goes after the Dragon’s Head Baton, the antique symbol of leadership that would transfer power to him. As members of the society (including Lam Suet as the endearing Big Head, Louis Koo as the slick Jimmy, and Nick Cheung as tough-guy Jet) choose which side they want to be on, resulting in chaos, treachery, and betrayal, the cops are hovering around, seeking to put an end to all triad activities. Election features more dialogue and less violence than most films of its kind, but that doesn’t make it any less effective. The next year To made the sequel, the even better Triad Election; Election 3 is set for 2018. A big winner at the twenty-fifth Hong Kong Film Awards, Election is screening July 7 at 8:30 in the Hong Kong Parnorama section of the sixteenth annual New York Asian Film Festival, which runs through July at Lincoln Center and the SVA Theatre. Among the other films in the sidebar are Lawrence Lau’s Dealer/Healer, Tsui Hark’s The Taking of Tiger Mountain in 3-D, and Alan Lo’s Zombiology: Enjoy Yourself Tonight. (Note: Tony Leung Ka-fai was initially scheduled to appear at the screening of Election but had to cancel due to unforeseen circumstances.)