The 82nd Venice International Film Festival competitor, "No Other Choice," is set to captivate audiences with a story that director Park Chan-wook has longed to tell.
"No Other Choice" follows 'Mansoo' (played by Lee Byung-hun), a corporate employee who thought he had it all, as he suddenly faces unemployment. To protect his wife and two children, and to save the home he worked hard to acquire, Mansoo prepares for his own battle to re-enter the workforce.
Starting with "Oldboy," which won the Grand Jury Prize at the 2004 Cannes Film Festival, to "Thirst" receiving the Jury Prize in 2009, "The Handmaiden" being invited to compete in 2016, and "Decision to Leave" winning Best Director in 2022, Park Chan-wook has proven his global stature with four Cannes competition entries and three major awards. Now, he returns to the screen after three years.
With his unique mise-en-scene, innovative direction, and distinctive subjects, Park Chan-wook's new film "No Other Choice" has already thrilled global cinema fans with its invitation to compete at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival. Especially since "No Other Choice" encapsulates a story Park has wanted to tell for a long time, marking a completely different endeavor from his previous works, it raises special anticipation.
Through the lens of Park Chan-wook, "No Other Choice" depicts how an ordinary person navigates through the sudden crisis of unemployment, promising deep empathy through a situation anyone in today's world might face. As Mansoo faces increasingly drastic choices in his quest for reemployment, the unpredictable developments offer a subtle tension.
Park Chan-wook mentioned, "If the humor in my previous works was subtle, this time it's more overt." The film is sprinkled with ironic humor, adding a unique charm to "No Other Choice." This desperate survival story of a man fighting to protect his life and family showcases Park's ability to seamlessly navigate humor and tension, reality and extremity.
"No Other Choice" is set to premiere in September.
(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)