REVIEW: I Corrupt All Cops
To start this year’s Asian Film Festival Dallas was a very eclectic blend of films. From horror, comedy, hyper action, ninjas, to high concept art films every genre was covered. There was something for every fan of film. If you missed it make sure to mark your calendars and not miss it next year.
On to the review, I Corrupt All Cops is a tale of police corruption in Hong Kong durring the 50s to 70s while Hong Kong was still under Brittish rule, directed by Jing Wong. While it may not have any of the stereotypical Italian tropes we are used to this is a mafia movie plain and simple but in stead of a crime syndicate family the mafia are the police. Every police officer from the very top to the very bottom of the chain take bribes, whether the want to or not. Even the honest cops are caught in a system so crooked that they are forced to comply with the status quo. The corrupt system is enabled by being far removed from direct intervention from London who is really only concerned with numbers. As long as the Hong Kong police appear to be keeping the crime rate down the Brittish overlords are happy. This is an interesting question this film brings up, although corrupt the police system has reduced crime by controling it. Only allowing so much crime to exist, only 4 gambling dens per block as opposed to rampant gambling everywhere as in the past for example.
Enter the ICAC (Independent Commission Against Corruption) when a new Brittish commisioner is instated who wants to clear all of the corruption out of Hong Kong. When this new division hits the streets the police force fights back with bloody vengence. If you enjoy mafia movies then this is a movie you should check out. Much like Goodfellas, I Corrupt All Cops chronicals the lives of what start as simple men in complicated situations. As time goes on the complications continue to escelate.
This is a good crime film that not only puts a little spin on the usual mafia ideas but also sheds insight into another culture. How it is both similar and different at the same time. If given the chance to see this take advantage of the oppertunity.
