Dubbed as a multicultural gangster movie, British Asian film 'Triads, Yardies and Onion Bhajees', by London-based director Sarjit Bains, is expected to take this year's Cannes Film Festival by storm as it has been selected to represent British Independent Cinema. The Cannes Film Festival runs from May 14th - 25th 2003.

Competing for the Cannes Festival's 2003 Palme d'Or award, the film has done much better than the series of British flops last year and has even been singled out as a possible winner.

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 recent BBC2 documentary.

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).

FILM SYNOPSIS

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 (Jas Vassi). His mob include the psychopathic killer Rocky (Sukie G), the drug addict Abz (Fran Labbe) and the gentleman gangster Jaz (Ashvin Joshi). 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 (Peter Peralta). An outsider has killed one of his men Li Fung (Alex Fung) and Billy swears vengeance! Among Billy's army of thugs is Ho Lin Wun (Ernesto Leszek) 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 (Native). 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 (Charles Udemezue). However, there is a thorn in Lloyd's side - his sister, Tia (Jamille Riverol) 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 (Peter Rnic) 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 (Jonathan Reason). It's a roller-coaster ride as the Holy Smokes wage war against the Triads, Yardies and the Firm...

THE GODDESS KALI IN THE MOVIE

'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 (Jas Bassi) 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 Rocky (Sukie Ghajminger) and Abz (Fran Labbe). A picture of the Goddess takes pride of place in Jas' (Ashvin Joshi) wine bar. 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".

An interesting twist in 'Triads, Yardies and Onion Bhajees' is Chacha's relationship with the two women in his life. His daughter Kalwe (Ines) is clearly worshipped by Chacha as the benign form of Kali (Dakshina) while his unnamed mistress (Patricia Arteaga) is seen as the fearful form of Kali (Smashan).

It is very clear that the Goddess Kali is watching the proceedings unfold before her and ultimately will decide who lives and who dies.

THE CAST

SCREENINGS IN NOVEMBER 2003

Click here to visit the Triads, Yardies & Onion Bhajees website.