After losing an election to become chairman of the Wo Lin Shing triad, a gang leader lashes out and tries to seize the dragon-head baton, the official symbol of a chairman's authority.
Direction
Johnnie To turns boardroom meetings into nail-biters.
Acting
Tony Leung Ka-fai's tantrums are Oscar-worthy meltdowns.
Writing
Ancient triad rules clash with modern greed beautifully.
Director
Johnnie To
Simon Yam
Lok
Tony Leung Ka-fai
Big D
Louis Koo
Jimmy
Nick Cheung Ka-Fai
Jet
Gordon Lam Ka-Tung
Kun
Eddie Cheung Siu-Fai
Mr. So
Lam Suet
Big Head
Wong Tin-Lam
Uncle Teng
Tam Bing-Man
Uncle Cocky
Maggie Shiu
Mrs. Big D
David Chiang Da-Wei
Chief Superintendent Hui
You Yongzhi
China Police Captain
Wong Chung
Whistle
Chan Siu-Pang
Uncle Monk
Yuen Bun
Incense Master
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The dragon-head baton is based on real triad regalia, though actual chairmen use jade seals—To made the baton more cinematic.
Released during Hong Kong's post-handover identity crisis, the film's obsession with tradition vs. change mirrors the territory's political anxiety.
HK
