In April 2023, Australian-based label Chameleon Films’, will be releasing the 2-Disc Blu-ray (All Region) set for Johnnie To’s 2005’s Election and 2006’s Election 2 (aka Triad Election).
Collectively, the films star Louis Koo (Accident), Tony Leung Ka Fai (Victim), Nick Cheung Ka Fai (Nightfall), Simon Yam (Mrs K), Lam Suet (The Mission), Eddie Cheung Siu Fai (Z Storm), Andy On (Zombie Fight Club), Gordon Lam (Limbo), Yuen Bun (Opium and the Kung Fu Master), Cherrie Ying Choi Yi (Fulltime Killer) and Maggie Siu Mei Kei (Port of Call).
Official details:
The Election films have been compared with The Godfather in the way they take crime syndicates seriously, showing how murderous violence, family, national politics and honour are woven inextricably together.
These dark, moody films exude a relentless air of menace as they strip the glamour and gunplay away from the triads and take us through the battles for the top job in the Wo Sing triad. Candidates negotiate with the uncles who uphold the historical traditions of the triad societies, while they must also deal with the politics of contemporary Hong Kong as it moves inexorably into the orbit of the mainland.
Once the votes are in, the real contest begins with a series of simmering confrontations involving face, money and loyalty in equal measure. One thing is certain—the quietly intense political manoeuvring will surely lead to blood, though in the best tradition of Johnnie To’s films, the violent confrontations are anything but predictable.
Special Features:
- High definition digital restoration of both films
- Collector’s slipcase & booklet featuring new essays by film scholar Gary Bettinson & film critic Sam Ho
- Newly translated & improved optional English subtitles for both films by Dylan Cheung
Disc 1 – Election:
- New audio commentary by Hong Kong cinema experts Frank Djeng & John Charles
- OzAsia Festival 2016 Masterclass with Johnnie To – audio recording hosted by film historian Mike Walsh (37 mins)
- Interviews with Johnnie To, Simon Yam, Tony Leung Ka-fai & Wong Tin-lam (60 mins)
- The Making of Election (7 mins)
- Photo gallery
- TV spots x2
- Theatrical trailers x2
Disc 2 – Election 2:
- New audio commentary by Hong Kong cinema experts Frank Djeng & John Charles
- Supplemental audio commentary by Frank Djeng
- New interview with composer Robert Ellis-Geiger (approx. 30 mins TBC)
- “The Veneer of Nobility” – a new video essay on the Election films (8 mins)
- Interviews with Johnnie To, Lam Suet & Gordon Lam Ka-tung (43 mins)
- The Making of Election 2 (7 mins)
- Photo gallery
- TV spots x3
- Teaser
- Theatrical trailer
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS:
- 2.35:1
- 1080p colour
- Cantonese DTS-HD MA 5.1 · LPCM 2.0
- English subtitles
- 2 x BD-50
Packaged in a cardboard slipcase without classification markings that includes a 2-disc Scanavo full sleeved 14mm clear case and a reversible sleeve without classification markings and barcodes featuring the original poster artwork of both films.
Chameleon Films previously released for 2006’s Exiled, as well as 2004’s Breaking News, two Hong Kong thrillers also directed by Johnnie To (Three, A Hero Never Dies).
Check out the films’ original Trailers below:
