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Cinema is no stranger to the glamorous yet tantalizingly dangerous world of gambling. In Hollywood alone, titles such as Casino, Ocean’s Eleven, Casino Royale, and The Godfather have their unique takes on the thrill, romance, and tension that come with playing your best hand.
Tinseltown may have the most iconic films centered on wagering, but filmmakers from Asia stepped up to the challenge, making banger titles that redefine the exhilarating environment of casinos.
We’ve gathered five Asian films with gambling themes that we believe should be on your to-watch list. Let’s explore what these films have to offer and how they define the storied world of gaming.
God of Gamblers
Country of origin: Hong Kong
Year released: 1989
Starring: Chow Yun-fat, Andy Lau
God of Gamblers set the standard of melding comedy and action-packed gambling scenes in film.
For instance, pro-gambler Ko Chun (Chow Yun Fat) might be touted as the god of gambling in the film, yet he has an oddity that shifts the mood; he loves eating chocolate while he plays.
A pivotal moment in the film was when Ko Chun defeated Tanaka, another master gambler. Their rivalry turns into a friendship when Tanaka enlists Ko Chun’s help to get revenge on his enemies.
The funny part? Ko Chun agrees with this alliance in exchange for a box of chocolate.
Sure, everyone has their eccentricities, regardless of their gaming and wagering habits. That said, God of Gamblers’ use of comedy in a tense casino setting highlights how humans are willing to bend their morals to feed their obsessions, disregarding the consequences of their actions.
From Vegas to Macau
Country of origin: Hong Kong
Year released: 2014
Starring: Chow Yun Fat, Nicholas Tse
From Vegas to Macau is another comedy-crime film set in the lively gambling scene of Hong Kong and Macau. It also stars Chow Yun-fat, who takes on the role of Ken, a casino security specialist.
In this 2014 flick, Cool (Nicholas Tse) is part of a vigilante group that robs gangsters and gives their loot to the needy. He eventually becomes Ken’s protégé, and they work together against Mr. Ko, a crime syndicate boss serving as the film’s main antagonist.
A strong point of this film is its unexpected turn of events. For one, Ken is actually another identity of Ko Chun from God of Gamblers. Imagine having him as your mentor. Sadly, only Tse’s character will know.
Another standout point is how people can redeem themselves despite living shady, amoral pasts. For example, Ken used his vast knowledge of gambling and the underground crime world to aid law enforcement in cracking down on criminals.
At the same time, Ken and Cool’s bond signifies loyalty and family. Both prioritized each other’s well-being, even if they had to sacrifice their wants and personal goals.
Pusoy
Country of origin: The Philippines
Year released: 2022
Starring: Vince Rillon, Angeli Khang, Baron Geisler
Released in 2022, Pusoy centers around Popoy (Vince Rillon), a casino bodyguard who is hell-bent on becoming the kingpin of the gambling empire.
His life takes a complicated turn when he meets Mika (Angeli Khang), a seductive woman who is a mistress of gambling boss Rodolfo (Baron Geisler). Torn between his ambition and lust, Popoy must make the tough choice between saving himself or destroying everyone.
Pusoy reinterprets the unpredictable Filipino classic game as an allegory for sensuality, political power, and the grueling world of underground crime.
For instance, Popoy is blinded by his ambition; therefore, he must face the consequences of his selfish actions and unchecked greed.
Mika, on the other hand, signifies how women use their beauty and sensuality to manipulate men to do her bidding. That said, the film sheds light on how women are seen in the underground world: commodities that could be discarded and replaced with another.
On the bright side, you don’t need to sell your soul in order to enjoy a game of pusoy. GZone has a seamless online platform where you can play Pusoy Dos and Pusoy Plus on your mobile devices.
But like the film, you might need to strategize and hinge on luck to win prizes and earn a spot among the best players.
Tazza: The High Rollers
Country of origin: South Korea
Year released: 2006
Starring: Cho Seung-woo, Kim Hye-soo, Baek Yoon-sik
Tazza: The High Rollers gives a glimpse into the dangerous yet gripping world of the Korean gambling underground.
It follows Goni (Cho Seung-woo), a reckless gambler who loses all of his life savings to satiate his addiction to Hwatu, a classic Korean card game. Little did he know that he had fallen victim to a group of professional gamblers known for cheating in their matches.
He later finds wisdom and friendship in Mr. Pyeong, a retired master gambler who teaches him to be a “tazza.” Goni then uses his skills to identify cheaters and game manipulators while redeeming his life.
There is a reason casinos promote gaming responsibly: when left unchecked, your aim to win will turn into greed that will consume you.
Outside the casino bubble, this can be interpreted as the higher you go up, the more you can get lost in your ambition.
That said, Goni’s embodiment of “tazza” signifies how one can redeem themselves and forge the life they want. Sometimes, high-rolling your stakes in life is necessary to achieve your dreams, reinvent yourself, and protect the ones you love.
Kakegurui: The Movie
Country of origin: Japan
Year released: 2019
Starring: Minami Hamabe, Mahiro Takasugi, Aoi Morikawa
This 2019 movie is a live-action adaptation of the anime series Kakegurui—Compulsive Gambler. It centers around Yumeko Jabami, a high school student who makes waves at Hyakkou Private Academy with her exemplary gambling prowess and addiction to the “thrill of risk.”
Kakegurui redefines the wagering scene by incorporating corruption, psychology, and Darwinist principles with gambling.
For instance, Hyakkou’s student council rules the academy through fear and strategic manipulation. Winners enjoy the perks of bullying and abusing “housepets,” which are students who lost matches and have the highest gambling debts.
Yumeko’s arrival challenges that social hierarchy and rips through its fabric by exposing rigged matches, cheating tactics, and her opponents’ deepest desires
Further, her addiction to “risking it all” acts as a foil to her adversaries’ as it shatters their deceivingly flawless demeanors. Once their tactics are exposed, their closeness to danger and humiliation breaks their illusion of control and unveils the “weakness” that lies underneath.
Final Thoughts
Filmmakers have utilized gambling and the psychology behind it to create metaphors for real-life circumstances.
In this case, these films have exemplified the human tendency to risk it all for their ambitions and obsessions.
On the flip side, gambling could also represent how life hinges on chances; you’ll never know what you’ll get if you don’t stake on yourself.
Added to that, the smoky, sensual, and mysterious ambiance of casinos in film draws people in to see what it’s like to be part of such a tantalizing space.
And if you’re all for it, watch these five films to dive into the world of gambling and use its metaphors to drive your passion for life and play.