Movies Infernal Affairs

For those who don't know... this is a Chinese film (in Cantonese language) which stormed through Hong Kong and many parts of China in 2002 claiming several awards from 8th Annual Golden Bauhinia Awards, 22nd Annual Hong Kong Film Awards, 40th Annual Golden Horse Awards and some others. Because of it's huge success they tried screening it to the west and to my knowledge... the people who watched it apprecaited it and found it a worthwhile film.

Now to those who havn't heard of Infernal Affairs (note that it is not Internal Affairs) I will go through it in brief in attempt to get some of y'all to watch what may be a new movie experience.

In his early 20s,Yan (played by Tong Leung Chiu Wai) became a triad member... but underneath, he is a police officer. Acting as a spy deep within Triad leader Sam's teritory, he has worked his way up to become an influential member of the gang and is Sam's most trusted pawn. Only one person knows his true identity, Organized Crime and Triad Bureau Inspector Wong. Yan spent 10 years undercover...
Comparatively, Sam set loose his own mole into the Police department. Ming (played by Andy Lau Tak Wah) entered the police force at around the same age as Yan did for the Triads and he too has worked his way up the ranks, through the past 10 years he has endlessly fed Sam information on plans the police are up to. However, both these men are doing this forcefully but their true intention is to live a normal life.

Now, I'll leave it here and let you think the rest. The film itself isn't action packed... It is more of a thriller/drama, and dilemmas. If you are looking for thrillers/dramas, If you are looking for a new kind of film, if you are looking for a police thriller, then I suggest this film to you... Infernal Affairs. It is a clever, well plotted film. (A prequel and sequel of Infernal Affairs are also out but have not yet reached the western world yet)

To those who have seen it. What did you think?

I have also picked up news that Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise were inspired by this very film and are planning to feature in a remade hollywood version of it in the future. It'll be The Ring all over again. So watch this now and then watch the American version later

- Shen

 

Yeah, I've seen this on DVD a while back, and it's really good. It's good to know the general plot first, cuz some of the subtle actions going on in the movie might be hard to undertand. Lots of tension goes on whenever one of the characters risks getting caught. I also heard that it'll be remade into an American version... hahaha, Asian movies have such great ideas that the US can't help but bye the rights to the movie! Heard of My Sassy Girl? I think Miramax bought the rights to that movie (I'm wondering if its gonna be butchered up, since a lot of the small plot devices and mannerisms are strictly Asian).

 

Same here, I have seen all three too. Great movie, and yet as usual, I wouldn't be surprised if Hollywood bought the rights. They will ruin the greatness in both Internal Affairs and My Sassy Girl.

When will Hollywood learn ?

- Teddz