Director Park Chan-wook and star Lee Byung-hun brought "No Other Choice" to the 50th Toronto International Film Festival, wrapping a packed post-screening Q&A and an "In Conversation with" talk to roaring response.
"No Other Choice" centers on Mansu (Lee Byung-hun), a company man who thinks he’s finally “made it” ― until he’s abruptly laid off. Determined to protect his wife, two kids and the hard-won family home, he wages a personal war to claw his way back into the workforce.
Following its Gala premiere, the film drew raves and held a post-screening Q&A on Tuesday, Sept. 9 (local time).
As the cheers and applause poured in, Park said, "Even the most delicate beats I worried first-time viewers might miss landed ― people laughed and cried in all the right places. It was incredibly gratifying." Lee added, "The energy inside the theater was electric from start to finish. Hearing such detailed reactions from festival folks and moviegoers, I could feel their deep affection for 'No Other Choice.'"
After the premiere, early reactions flooded social media: "Park Chan-wook’s signature, razor-smart flourishes are everywhere ― and it’s a joy to sink into. The performances are towering," wrote @kev. "A tightly stacked black comedy brimming with warped perspective, symbolic imagery, and knife-edged editing and score ― truly unforgettable," posted @Jack Kecskes. And @Ezra Cubero praised how the film "captures the way despair seeps into the human heart in an era when job hunts feel increasingly perilous." Park and Lee fielded a barrage of questions from international audiences during the ensuing Q&A.
Praising Lee’s blistering turn, Park noted, "He showed astonishing acting and a sharp sense of humor back in Joint Security Area, so I already had great faith. Now that he’s a father, that layer surely helped him deepen Mansu." Lee, on teaming with Park again, said, "He never misses a thing. Before we even start shooting, he already has the cut in his head."
On Wednesday, Sept. 10 at 3 p.m., the pair capped an "In Conversation with" at TIFF Bell Lightbox. The talk retraced Park’s filmography before Lee joined to dive into a spirited, in-depth exchange about "No Other Choice".
"No Other Choice" opens Sept. 24.
(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)