The Venice International Film Festival ― the oldest of cinema’s Big Three ― launches its 82nd edition.
On Aug. 27 local time (the early hours of Aug. 28 in Korea), the 82nd Venice Film Festival kicks off on the Lido for an 11-day run. All eyes are on a new film from a Korean auteur and a Hollywood remake of a Korean cult favorite, both bowing in Competition and vying for the festival’s top honor, the Golden Lion.
The buzziest title is Park Chan-wook’s "No Other Choice". The film follows Mansu (Lee Byung-hun), a contented company man blindsided by a layoff. Determined to protect his wife and two kids ― and the home they fought to buy ― he wages his own battle to get back on his feet, with irony-laced humor woven through his do-or-die survival. It’s based on Donald E. Westlake’s novel "The Ax."
Arriving three years after "Decision to Leave" (2022), Park’s new feature boasts an A-list ensemble: Lee Byung-hun, Park Hee-soon, Son Ye-jin, Yeom Hye-ran, Lee Sung-min and Cha Seung-won.
It’s the first Korean film to land in Venice competition in 13 years, following "Pietà" ― fueling hopes for a major win. A Cannes regular who has collected the Grand Prix, Jury Prize and Best Director, Park now sets his sights on Venice’s Golden Lion.
"No Other Choice" will have its world premiere on Aug. 29 local time. Park, along with Lee Byung-hun, Son Ye-jin, Lee Sung-min, Yeom Hye-ran and more, will touch down in Venice for the official screening, red carpet and press duties.
The other hot ticket is Yorgos Lanthimos’ "Bugonia". In Competition, the film is a remake of Jang Joon-hwan’s 2003 cult classic "Save the Green Planet!", with CJ ENM onboard for planning and production.
The Greek filmmaker, now firmly in the Hollywood pantheon, won the Golden Lion at Venice in 2023 with "Poor Things." The question is whether he can do it again with "Bugonia".
The Venice Film Festival runs for 11 days across the Venice Lido, with winners to be revealed at the Sept. 6 closing ceremony.
(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)