Science Fair Project Encyclopedia
Infernal Affairs
Infernal Affairs () is a stylish 2002 Hong Kong crime thriller.
Infernal Affairs was known for its star-studded cast of Tony Leung, Andy Lau, Anthony Wong (黄秋生), Eric Tsang (曾志伟), Kelly Chen, and Sammi Cheng.
The film sold exceptionally well in Hong Kong and was considered "a box office miracle". It was heralded as a revival of HK cinema because, at the time of release, their film industry was considered generally lacking in creativity. Due to its commercial and critical success, Infernal Affairs was followed by a prequel, Infernal Affairs II, and a sequel ,Infernal Affairs III, both released in 2003.
Miramax currently owns the North American distribution rights, and Internal Affairs was released for American audiences on September 10, 2004. As of 2004, Brad Pitt had bought the rights for a Hollywood remake, to be directed by Martin Scorsese.
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Plot
Infernal Affairs is about a cop named Yan (played by Tony Leung) going deep undercover into the Triads, and a Triad member, Ming, who infiltrates the police department (Andy Lau). Each mole was planted by the rival organization to gain an advantage in intelligence over the other side.
Because officials of the People's Republic of China could not tolerate the original ending, where law enforcement eventually fails, an alternate ending was shot where the Triad mole is rooted out and caught. The European and North American DVD release contains the original ending as a bonus scene.
Infernal Affairs I - cast and roles
- Andy Lau - Lau Kin Ming (劉健明)
- Tony Leung Chiu Wai - Chan Wing Yan (陳永仁)
- Anthony Wong Chau-Sang - Superintendant Wong
- Eric Tsang - Sam
- Kelly Chen - Dr. Lee Sum Yee
- Sammi Cheng - Mary, Ming's future wife
- Edison Chen - Young Lau Kin Ming
- Shawn Yue - Young Chan Wing Yan
- Elva Hsiao - May
- Chapman To - Keung
- Lam Ka Tung - Inspector B
- Ng Ting Yip - Sir Inspector Cheung
- Dion Lam - Del Piero
- Chi Keung Wan - Officer Leung
- Fung Hui Kam - Cadet School Principal
Awards
Infernal Affairs did very well at the 2002 Hong Kong Film Awards, beating the blockbuster Hero for the Best Film award, and also winning the following:
- Best Director - Andy Lau and Alan Mak
- Best Screenplay - Alan Mak and Felix Chong
- Best Actor - Tony Leung
- Best Supporting Actor - Anthony Wong
- Best Editing - Danny Pang and Pang Ching Hei
- Best Original Film Song - "Infernal Affairs," sung by Tony Leung and Andy Lau
Infernal Affairs II - cast and roles
- Edison Chen - Young Lau Kin Ming
- Shawn Yue - Young Chen Wing Yan
- Anthony Wong Chau-Sang - Superintendant Wong
- Francis Ng - Ngai Wing-Hau
- Eric Tsang - Sam
- Carina Lau - Mary, Sam's wife
- Chapman To - Keung
- Andrew Lin - Ngai's brother
- Roy Cheung
- Bey Logan - Inspector Calvin
- Ricardo Mamood - Parking lot dealer
- Brandon Rhea - Private investigator
Awards
Although Infernal Affairs II earned ten nominations for the 2003 Hong Kong Film Awards, it could not match its precedessor's success. The film won only one award, Best Original Film Song, for the song "Chang Kong" (performed by the Cantopop band Beyond).
See also
External links
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