Gao Qunshu's new blockbuster, "Three Old Boys," pays tribute to police veterans by vividly illustrating their intense and relentless battle against criminal gangs.

Cast and crew pose for a photo at the premiere of "Three Old Boys" in Beijing, May 22, 2024. [Photo courtesy of CMC Pictures]

Based on real-life events and a novel written by the film's screenwriter, Lyu Zheng, "Three Old Boys" depicts a trio of soon-to-retire police officers who put to use their "outdated" practices to confront unprecedented crimes and various criminal forces as they tackle a complex financial fraud case in an era of rapidly developing new and advanced technologies.

The major financial case featured in "Three Old Boys" is based on true events. Between 2014 and 2015, Ezubao, a Chinese online peer-to-peer (P2P) lender, swindled more than 50 billion yuan ($7.7 billion) from roughly 900,000 investors through a Ponzi scheme. Twenty-six executives were convicted and imprisoned for the fraud, with some also found guilty of other crimes, including the smuggling of precious metals, illegally possessing guns and crossing borders without necessary documentation.

As a consequence of this and other financial fraud cases, countless families have become hidden casualties. The film authentically portrays the predicaments ordinary people encounter in their daily lives. In response to societal expectations for more cautionary tales, the creators have produced this film to serve as a public warning. 

"The case background in the film is closely related to the experiences of many ordinary people today. In real life, many of our friends, including my own mother, have fallen into the trap of investing money in certain 'financial management' schemes, only to end up being deceived," director Gao said.

Gao has also managed to truthfully portray the life and work of Chinese police officers in the film. With many intense action scenes, the audience was kept in suspense during the Beijing premiere on Wednesday. Some retired police officers and their families were invited to the premiere, where they praised the film for its authenticity.

"They are retiring, but they are still fighting. I can resonate with them, as I am someone who should retire but still continues to make films," Gao said, reflecting on the film's three protagonists. 

Meanwhile, Lyu Zheng, a police officer himself, expressed that over time, he has come to see that veteran police officers in real life bear a kind of heaviness by shouldering a sense of mission and fate. 

Actor Jiang Wu, who portrays one of the protagonists in the film, shared his admiration and respect for the police. "A criminal policeman once told me that after closing a big case, he stayed in his car for three days at the doorstep of his own home, fearing revenge. I feel their lives are more challenging than what is portrayed in films and TV series," he said.

A poster for "Three Old Boys." [Image courtesy of CMC Pictures]

"Three Old Boys" was released in theaters on May 24 nationwide.

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