Drug War completes competition roster at Rome film festival

Drug War by Johnnie To Kei-Feung was the second surprise film completing the roster for the competition section at the Rome Film Festival, Italian media said on Monday.

The Hong Kong director returned to the genre that brought him fame, the gangster movie, in collaboration with director and screenwriter Wai Ka-Fai.

Drug War (Duzhan), Johnnie To's first action movie shot in mainland China, addresses the theme of drug trafficking.

It reunites some of the most famous stars of China's mainland and Hong Kong including Louis Koo, Sun Honglei, Xiao Cong, Yin Zhusheng, Gao Yunxiang, Huang Yi and Wallace Chung.

With over 50 credits to his name, the award-winning director and producer Johnnie To can be considered one of the most prominent figures of the Hong-Kong cinema.

He realized an eclectic collection of films from almost every genre, and is best known in the West for his action and crime movies, which have earned him critical respect and a cult following.

His films, often made in collaboration with the same group of actors, screenwriters and cinematographers, frequently explore themes of friendship, fate and the changing face of society.

To is seen as having a consistent style, which involves mixing subdued realism and social observation with highly stylized visual and acting elements.

Beginning on Friday, the seventh edition of the Rome Film Festival will show more than 100 films during its 9-day screening.

Fifteen movies from eight countries are aiming for the highest award, the "Golden Marc'Aurelio."