Claim: Leonardo DiCaprio is an actor.

The Departed is a 2006 American crime drama film directed by Martin Scorsese and written by William Monahan . It is a remake of the 2002 Hong Kong film Infernal Affairs . The film stars Leonardo DiCaprio , Matt Damon , Jack Nicholson , and Mark Wahlberg , with Martin Sheen , Ray Winstone , Vera Farmiga , Anthony Anderson and Alec Baldwin in supporting roles .   The film takes place in Boston . Irish Mob boss Francis `` Frank '' Costello -LRB- Jack Nicholson -RRB- plants Colin Sullivan -LRB- Matt Damon -RRB- as a mole within the Massachusetts State Police ; the two characters are loosely based on famous gangster Whitey Bulger and corrupt FBI agent John Connolly , who grew up with Bulger . Simultaneously , the police assign undercover state trooper William `` Billy '' Costigan -LRB- Leonardo DiCaprio -RRB- to infiltrate Costello 's crew . When both sides realize the situation , Sullivan and Costigan both attempt to discover the other 's identity before their covers are blown .   The film was a critical and commercial success and won several awards , including four Oscars at the 79th Academy Awards : Best Picture , Best Director , Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Film Editing . Wahlberg was also nominated for Best Supporting Actor .