Ex-Triad member Jimmy Tsui has explained how the 2002 Hong Kong movie Infernal Affairs is more accurate to real life than Martin Scorsese’s 2006 American remake of the film. The movie follows a police officer who goes deep undercover in the criminal underworld, while also focusing on a criminal who acts as a mole within the police force for the Triad. The film ended up receiving critical acclaim. In 2006, Scorsese made a movie titled The Departed, an American remake which went on to win multiple Oscars, including Best Picture.

Speaking with Insider on their series “How Real Is It?”, Tsui revealed how Infernal Affairs is more accurate to the way the Triad operates than the realism seen in the premise of Scorsese’s The Departed.

Starting at 4:11, the former Triad member explained how the relationship between the police and the criminal organization was being portrayed in a realistic way. He also goes into some of the history surrounding both groups and how corruption worked decades prior to more modern operations. Check out what Tsui had to say below:

For the drug smuggling into Hong Kong, that’s where we come. With my times at the Triad, or gangs, I was involved in extortion, prostitution, and drugs. I’ve seen a lot of this kind of deal before. We won’t do it in public! It’s always in some place you don’t know. But for this, this guy getting out from the boat and saying, “Oh, I’ve got the stuff! Everything’s good!” That’s b******t. You’re not going to yell out to everyone you know about what kind of stuff is this, right?

This movie is like 80% real, I can tell you. This movie is talking about a traitor. A traitor inside the Triad, and a traitor inside the police department. I have met a lot of people, they are Triad members, and they’re working for the police department. By the way, this movie, the Hollywood movie The Departed? It’s a remake of this one.

In the ’70s, the Hong Kong police force and Triad was no different. The police protected the business which the Triad owns. And they’re working together. But after the ’70s, and after the [Independent Commission Against Corruption] Department, a lot of high-end police officers got arrested, they were put in prison for a long time, until after 1997, the Chinese government took over in Hong Kong and was very strict to [the] Triad. So I don’t think they still have it right now, no.

I would give this rating an 8 [out of 10]. It’s 80% close to real life.

Why Infernal Affairs’ Accuracy Makes It A Better Movie

The Hong Kong movie about the Triad and police maintains accuracy in its story, despite depicting a fictional cat-and-mouse game between people on both sides of the conflict. While there are many movies like Infernal Affairs that capture a similar feel within their stories, the movie manages to stand on its own thanks to the mostly realistic nature of the story it tells. While Tsui pointed out that one person shouting about drugs wouldn’t be true to life, the rest of the film’s elements appear to be a realistic rendition of a fictional story.

Comparing the movie to The Departed, however, might not be accurate, as while Scorsese’s film is a remake, it only pulls inspiration from the Triad. The 2006 Oscar winner manages to carve its own identity thanks to a story inspired by Boston, Massachusetts’ Winter Hill Gang. While the movie has its own dramatic moments that may not be fully accurate to the real world, its decision to focus on a different criminal organization gives it more wiggle room. However, Infernal Affairs still stands out for accuracy to its own premise.

Although there are some small inaccuracies with Infernal Affairs, and The Departed is more universally known in America for its story, the Hong Kong movie is still a classic crime film with an intriguing premise. Tsui’s analysis of the movie shows how its story staying true to life elevated the events that unfolded. The 2002 film can act as the perfect introduction to the Triad in fiction, too, thanks to a premise that will be familiar to those who have seen Scorsese’s award-winning piece.

Source: Insider