Triads, Yardies and Onion Bhajees
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| Triads, Yardies and Onion Bhajees | |
|---|---|
 Official independent cinema poster |
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| Directed by | Sarjit Bains |
| Written by | Manish Patel |
| Starring | Dave Courtney Manish Patel |
| Release date(s) | 2003 |
| Running time | 105 min. |
| Country | U.K. / India |
| Language | English |
| IMDb profile | |
Triads, Yardies and Onion Bhajees - dubbed as a multicultural gangster movie by London-based director Sarjit Bains, took the 2003 Cannes Film Festival (UK Pavillion) by storm as it was the only film representing British Independent Cinema.
The poignant story of a hitman who must kill friends and enemies to get the girl, the film stars real life ex-gangster and underworld don Dave Courtney. Brainchild of Manish Patel, who plays the role of 'Singh', the hitman in the movie, Triads, Yardies and Onion Bhajees got widespread acclaim when it was showcased in a BBC2 documentary on the making of the film.
The film draws upon the imagery of Hindu deity Kali, traditionally invoked to vanquish evil, with the three gangs being likened to modern day thugees (Kali worshippers of old).
After its Cannes showcase the film went on UK wide release through the independent cinema network.
[edit] Synopsis
Tagline: This ain't 'Bend it Like Beckham'... this ain't 'East is East'...this is Southall!
Welcome to London, home of many creeds and cultures. The modern criminal underworld reflects the diverse races that call London home.
West London is ruled by the 'Holy Smokes' crime syndicate. At their head is the ruthless Chacha. His mob include various psychopathic killers, pimps and rug dealers. To enforce his rule over his minions Chacha uses Singh (Manish Patel), his most trusted and ruthless hitman. Although the Holy Smokes rule all of West London, their base is Southall, the stronghold of the Asian community.
North London is the territory of the Triads. These ruthless Chinese gangsters will do anything to protect their honour. Leading them is the young Billy Chan. An outsider has killed one of his men Li Fung and Billy swears vengeance! Among Billy's army of thugs is Ho Lin Wun, the ruthless assassin who likes to cut his enemies fingers off for pleasure and amusement.
South London is governed by the Yardies, the Jamaican mafia. At the head of this notorious crew is Lloyd. This gang lives purely for the day and their motto is "Live Fast and Die Young!". Utterly without fear, Lloyd hangs with his trusted men Rufus (Richard Angol) and Errol. However, there is a thorn in Lloyd's side - his sister, Tia lives with rival gangster Jaz from the Holy Smokes.
East London is home to The Firm. The last stronghold of the original Anglo-Saxon cockney gangsters, the Firm is ruled by Mad Dave (Dave Courtney). They cannot understand how London has come to be ruled by the ethnic mobsters. They will not give up East London without a fight to the death. Mad Dave makes the Holy Smokes an offer they cannot refuse but one of his men Big Kev has other ideas.
Someone is muscling on the Holy Smokes cocaine deals and they are not amused. Added to this deadly event is the theft of six million dollars from Heathrow Airport making an explosive cocktail! Hot on the trail of the missing money is the Metropolitan Police's most corrupt officer Detective Inspector Greaves. It's a roller-coaster ride as the Holy Smokes wage war against the Triads, Yardies and The Firm.
Triads, Yardies and Onion Bhajees is primarily an action movie but it has a mythological and spiritual vein running through it. The character of Chacha worships the Hindu Goddess Kali. We see a statue of Kali in his home. Chacha is seen praying to the Goddess in a Temple. At his office headquarters, again we see the statue of Kali.
Chachas influence and teachings have also influenced members of his gang. The image of Kali can be seen in the homes of his various gang members. The smoke emanating from the incense surrounding the Kali statue in the temple is deemed to be holy, hence Chacha has named his crime syndicate "The Holy Smokes".
It is very clear that the Goddess Kali is watching the proceedings unfold before her and ultimately will decide who lives and who dies.
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