Cannes contingent celebrates a century of Chinese cinema

To celebrate 100 years of Chinese cinema, Hong Kong's contingent is well represented at this year's Cannes Film Festival, which opened on Thursday.

John Woo is a member of the jury and Johnny To Kei-fung's Election is in the running.

It is To's first selection at the festival; his previous film Breaking News was shown last year but not nominated for the Palmes d'Or.

Election is a tale of two triad bosses fighting to become head of their gang - through intense and violent lobbying, as would be expected, but in a democratic election. It is one of five Asian films vying for the Palmes d'Or. Tony Leung Ka-fai plays a bloodthirsty psychopath triad boss so convincingly that he has succeeded in astonishing Cannes audiences.

In Europe, Leung is mainly remembered for his part in Jean-Jacques Annaud's The Lover. The critics are saying he may well come away with a prize.

While the jury is out deliberating, the Hong Kong community is partying.