Gangster films are hitting the big screen with a vengeance. While "The Departed" a Hollywood remake of Wai Keung Lau's Infernal Affairs (Wujiandao) is winning US audiences, a new Chinese crime drama opens tomorrow.

"Crouching Tiger," (Wo Hu) is based on a true story about the deadly rivalry between the Hong Kong police and the island's ruthless gangs.

In the movie, the "Crouching Tiger" campaign involves more than 1,000 police officers chosen to infiltrate the underworld. The flood of moles haunts the Hongxing Syndicate, the most powerful mafia group in Hong Kong, and arouses distrust among the four leaders of the clan. This climaxes into a bloody boilover and dramatic changes in the gangland.

Wong Jing, the film's script writer, says the storyline was adapted from a real 2003 campaign launched by the Hong Kong police, when more than 2,000 police cadets were sent to mob syndicates.

Wong, known as one of Hong Kong's most prolific and bankable directors, felt the real-life drama could be successfully transformed into a compelling movie. To make the story convincing, he hired a veteran mafia boss as his consultant.

Chen Shengzhi used to be a powerful mafia figure, and spent 20 years in prison for drug dealing. After leaving jail, Chen turned over a new leaf and helped Hong Kong police crack down on the drug trade. He was voted one of the Ten Outstanding Young Persons of Hong Kong.

"Chen used to be someone in the mafia group, and knows very well about the gangland. So I invited him to help me complete the script and supervise the film to present a authentic crime drama," Wong Jing said.

Although Hong Kong films with the similar theme, such as "Infernal Affairs," have enjoyed record-breaking success, Wong does not worry about the repetition. He believes his story differs from "Infernal Affairs" and other crime dramas through its bold photography and fresh storyline.

"Infernal Affairs" features low-contrast photography to emphasize the confusion of the characters' identities. But photography in "Crouching Tiger" presents a sharp contrast between white and black to reflect the distinction between the cops and the mob.

Having given up his signature "toilet humour" this time, Wong compares his latest offering with "a lady with genuine breasts and double-edged eyelids."

In other words, the storyline is close to truth. The consultant Chen Shengzhi, as Wong notes, will also add to the truthfulness of the film and help audience correct many stereotyped ideas about police cadets.

Wang Guangli, a rising young director from Chinese mainland, and Marco Mak, the Hong Kong editor of many Tsui Hark productions, direct the film. Eric Tsang Chi-wai, the Asian Joe Pesci, stars one of the four mafia leaders.

(China Daily 10/12/2006 page14)