Busan — The 30th Busan International Film Festival has chosen Park Chan-wook’s “No Other Choice” as its opening film, scheduling the world premiere for the September 17-26 showcase in the southern port city. Festival organisers said the pick embodies “what audiences most hope to see” and can “invigorate Korean cinema” as the event marks its milestone year.
The 139-minute thriller adapts Donald Westlake’s novel The Ax and tracks Man-su, a middle-aged worker whose desperate hunt for a new job grows lethal after he is sacked from a paper company. Lee Byung-hun headlines opposite Son Ye-jin, joined by Park Hee-soon, Lee Sung-min and Yeom Hye-ran.
Lee will also become the festival’s first male solo host when he emcees the opening ceremony at Busan Cinema Center. Festival director Jung Han-seok called unveiling Park’s first feature since Decision to Leave “deeply moving” for an edition that underlines Busan’s growing international reach.
Before its Asian debut, No Other Choice will compete for the Golden Lion at the Venice International Film Festival later this month, the first Korean entry in that section in 13 years. North American rights were secured in June by distributor Neon, which previously partnered with Park on the remastered release of Oldboy. Observers say the twin festival berth and advance sale point to a resurgence of global appetite for auteur-driven Korean cinema.
Park, 61, noted that he began writing the script 17 years ago and felt “deeply emotional” on completing the long-gestating project. The production reunites him with frequent collaborators, including cinematographer Kim Woo-hyung and composer Jo Yeong-wook, extending partnerships that shaped Oldboy and The Handmaiden.
