The latest flick in the popular Infernal Affairs series, Infernal Affairs 3, will open in Shenzhen beginning Friday (Dec. 13).

It will begin at 10 p.m. at first-run theaters including Jindun Cinema, Tianying Cinema, Shenzhen Auditorium, Shenzhen Theater and Huaxia Art Center.

The Hong Kong-produced film debuted Monday evening at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Beijing was picked for the Infernal Affairs 3 premiere because "it's natural to focus on China,'' said Y.C. Chu, deputy general manager of Media Asia Films, the company that produced IF3. "It enlarges the market for Hong Kong.''

The first of the cop-and-gangster thriller series, Infernal Affairs, was Hong Kong's top box-office draw in 2002. It is credited with sparking a revival of the struggling Hong Kong film industry.

Infernal Affairs 3 sports six big names: Hong Kong pop stars Tony Leung, Andy Lau, Leon Lai, Anthony Wong, Eric Tseng, and mainland TV big shot Chen Daoming. The strong lineup is said to be the movie's main strength.

In the movie, 10 months after Chan Yongren (Tony Leung)'s murder, Liu Jianming (Andy Lau) faces an internal investigation and his marriage with his wife Mary is shattered. Exhausted, Liu's everyday life seems like hell, but he still firmly believes that the situation will change.

Meanwhile, a hot young officer Yang Jinrong (Leon Lai) is headed to the top of the police force. Liu suspects that Yang may be just like him, an undercover agent for the mob.

Deciding to turn a new life, Liu has to prevent his own identity from being exposed. However, after numerous setbacks, Liu gradually begins to doubt himself.

Cop or gangster and the complex, dual nature of good and evil are the film's themes.

Infernal Affairs 3 will be released throughout Asia on Friday following screenings in Beijing, Hong Kong and Singapore earlier in the week.

Its makers say the third installment is the last.

But "it's not impossible" there might be more, Andy Lau said. "The spirit of Infernal Affairs could continue."

Editor: Catherine