Park Chan-wook, Lee Byung-hun and Son Ye-jin say their new film "No Other Choice" hit a little too close to home for a movie industry still finding its footing.
At a press conference for the 30th Busan International Film Festival’s opening film "No Other Choice", held at the Busan Cinema Center’s Middle Theater in Haeundae on the 17th, Park was asked whether a story about upheaval in the paper business mirrors the state of cinema today. “I’m not sure audiences will immediately think of filmmakers’ lives while watching this,” he began. “They’ll likely think of their own work and their own lives first.”
“But when I read the original novel 'The Ax,' it was easy to connect,” he continued. “Most people don’t consider making paper some grand, monumental calling―but the characters say it’s their entire life. Filmmaking isn’t something that offers obvious, practical help to your daily life either. Many people see movies as two hours of entertainment. Yet, like those characters, we stake our whole lives on this work. I don’t know the paper industry, but I felt I knew this man. The global film industry has struggled since the pandemic, and Korea’s situation is even tougher. Still, I don’t think we’ll be stuck here forever. I hope our film can play even a small part in helping us climb out of this rut.”
Lee Byung-hun, who plays breadwinner Mansu thrown into crisis, added, “At Venice and Toronto, I kept getting asked if the film’s anxiety around the paper business reflects what’s happening in our own industry. Yes, film is going through a rough patch―but the more immediate pain is at the theaters. Every filmmaker is thinking about how cinemas can overcome this and win audiences back. Our movie also raises questions about AI. As it emerges and evolves, it can feel like a threat to people who make films―that’s where I felt a clear overlap with our characters.”
Son Ye-jin, who plays Mansu’s wife, Miri, reflected on her own seven-year gap between films. “I do feel anxious about how long―and how often―I’ll be able to keep making movies,” she said. “The industry has gotten so tough that just being back on a set after seven years meant a lot to me. What matters is what we do next. In that sense, I hope directors like Park keep making more films, and I’ll do my part to help the industry move in a better direction.”
"No Other Choice" follows Mansu (Lee Byung-hun), a once-content company man who’s abruptly laid off. With a wife, two kids and a hard-won home on the line, he prepares for his own all-or-nothing battle to get back to work―and protect the life he built.
(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)