Latest news with #ParkChan-wook
The Hindu
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
‘No Other Choice' teaser: Park Chan-wook's Venice-premiering thriller drops first look
South Korean director Park Chan-wook's new film No Other Choice is set to make its world premiere at the 2025 Venice International Film Festival. Ahead of the debut, distributor Neon has unveiled the film's first teaser trailer, offering a glimpse of Park's return to feature filmmaking after Decision to Leave. Starring Lee Byung-hun and Son Ye-jin, the film is an adaptation of Donald E. Westlake's 1997 novel The Ax, previously adapted by Costa-Gavras. The South Korean version has been long in development, with Park initially announcing the project in 2009. Co-written with Don McKellar, No Other Choice explores themes of unemployment and class anxiety, following Man-soo (Lee), a laid-off worker who hatches a drastic plan to eliminate his job competition. Official teaser poster for NO OTHER CHOICE, the new film from master filmmaker Park Chan-wook. Coming soon. — NEON (@neonrated) July 23, 2025 The teaser reveals Park's signature visual styles that have earned him international acclaim with films like Oldboy, The Handmaiden, and Stoker. The cast also includes Park Hee-soon, Lee Sung-min, Yeom Hye-ran, and Cha Seung-won. Neon, which is handling U.S. distribution, is expected to position No Other Choice for awards contention later this year. The film could mark Park's first major breakthrough with the Academy. Despite high expectations, his previous film Decision to Leave missed out on an Oscar nomination, even after strong festival reception. Following its Venice premiere, No Other Choice will release in South Korean theaters and later in other territories, including North America. No exact release date has been announced yet.
UPI
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- UPI
Watch: Lee Byung-hung unravels in 'No Other Choice' teaser
July 24 (UPI) -- Neon released a teaser trailer for No Other Choice, a new thriller from Oldboy and The Handmaiden director Park Chan-wook. The teaser, released Thursday, stars Squid Game actor Lee Byung-hun as a family man whose life and mental health take turns for the worse when he is laid off by a paper company. The film is an adaptation of Donald Westlake's 1997 book The Ax, which was previously adapted into Costa-Gavras' 2005 French/Dutch film The Axe. No Other Choice also stars Son Yejin, Park Hee-soon, Lee Sung-min, Yeom Hye-ran, Cha Seung-won and Yoo Yeon-seok. Neon, the film's North American distributor, previously re-released Park Chan-wook's film Oldboy in theaters in 2023.
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![[Graphic News] ‘Parasite' tops NYT's 100 best movies of 21st century](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fall-logos-bucket.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fkoreaherald.com.png&w=48&q=75){kind=small}
Korea Herald
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
[Graphic News] ‘Parasite' tops NYT's 100 best movies of 21st century
Korean director Bong Joon-ho's 2019 film 'Parasite' has been named the best movie of the 21st century by The New York Times. The top 100 list was compiled based on votes from 500 directors, actors and film fans. The Times praised 'Parasite' as 'delightful yet twisted, unsettling and shocking,' noting that it 'tells the story of the haves and have-nots and offers a fierce critique of neo-liberalism.' Two other Korean films also made the list: 'Oldboy' (2005) by Park Chan-wook ranked 43rd, while Bong's earlier film 'Memories of Murder' (2005) placed 99th. Korean Canadian director Celine Song's 2023 film 'Past Lives' was also included at No. 86. don@
Time of India
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Park Chan-wook's Triumphant Venice Return After 20 Years - Korean Cinema's Historic Moment!
Director Park chan wook Hold onto your popcorn, film fanatics! The cinema world just got a massive shakeup as Korean auteur Park Chan-wook storms back into Venice's most coveted competition section after a jaw-dropping 20-year absence. His latest masterpiece " No Other Choice " has officially been selected for the 82nd Venice International Film Festival , and trust us, this is bigger than you think! This isn't just another film selection - it's a full-blown cultural milestone! For the first time in 13 long years, a Korean film has managed to crack the ultra-exclusive Venice competition lineup. The last time this happened? Kim Ki-duk's "Pieta" snatched the Golden Lion back in 2012, making history in the process. The Venice bigwigs dropped this bombshell during their live YouTube announcement on July 22, revealing 21 competition films that'll battle it out for cinema supremacy. Park Chan-wook's inclusion marks his triumphant second entry into Venice's hallowed halls, following his 2005 stint with "Lady Vengeance," where he walked away with three prestigious awards including the Young Lion Award. When Desperation Meets Determination by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like This Is Why Smart People Always Keep Baking Soda At Home Read More Undo "No Other Choice" isn't your typical feel-good flick - it's a raw, unflinching look at modern survival. The story centers around Man-su, a seemingly content office worker whose world crumbles when he's suddenly shown the door. With a wife, Mi-ri, and two kids depending on him, he's forced into increasingly desperate measures during his job hunt. Sound familiar? This storyline hits harder than a Mumbai local during rush hour, resonating with millions of young Indians navigating today's cutthroat job market. Whether you're in Seoul or Bengaluru, the struggle for employment security is painfully universal. Based on Donald Westlake's gripping novel "The AX," this film marks Park's highly anticipated return three years after his critically acclaimed "Decision to Leave" (2022). The casting is absolutely fire - Lee Byung-hun and Son Ye-jin team up as a married couple for the first time ever, supported by powerhouse performers Park Hee-soon, Lee Sung-min, Yum Hye-ran, and Cha Seung-won. Stars Can't Contain Their Excitement The emotions are running high in the Korean film community! Park Chan-wook himself couldn't hide his feelings about Venice calling: "After completing the film and receiving the Venice invitation, I think it was good that I didn't give up on this work during all those long years." The director had previously called this project "the work I most wanted to make" when filming wrapped in January. Lee Byung-hun's enthusiasm is absolutely infectious: "I'm so eager to see the finished work that I can hardly wait!" Meanwhile, Son Ye-jin expressed pure joy: "Having Venice as my first international film festival visit is incredibly moving and glorious." Their excitement mirrors what we'd feel seeing our favorite Bollywood stars making waves at Cannes! Korean Wave Tsunami Continues Here's where it gets even more interesting - " No Other Choice" isn't the only Korean-connected project making Venice waves! "Bugonia," a Hollywood remake of Jang Joon-hwan's cult classic "Save the Green Planet" (2003), has also secured a competition slot. Directed by Greek master Yorgos Lanthimos and starring Emma Stone, with CJ ENM as co-producer, this shows how Korean creativity is being reimagined for global audiences. This double Korean presence at Venice demonstrates the incredible reach of K-content - similar to how our desi stories are finding new life in international markets. It's proof that great storytelling transcends borders, whether it's flowing from Seoul studios or Mumbai production houses. The Competition Heats Up The Venice competition lineup reads like a who's who of international cinema. Park Chan-wook will face off against heavyweights including Luca Guadagnino's "After the Hunt" starring Julia Roberts, Jim Jarmusch's "Father Mother Sister Brother," Francois Ozon's "L'Etranger," and Guillermo del Toro's highly anticipated "Frankenstein." While no Indian films made it into this year's competition section, Venice remains crucial for Asian cinema representation alongside Cannes and Berlin. The festival runs from August 27 to September 6, with all eyes on the Golden Lion prize. The stakes couldn't be higher. Just as "Pieta" created history 13 years ago by becoming the first Korean film to win the Golden Lion, there's palpable excitement about whether lightning can strike twice. Park Chan-wook's track record suggests we're in for something special. The unemployment crisis depicted in "No Other Choice" speaks to a generation that's witnessed economic uncertainty across continents. From Korean chaebols downsizing to Indian startups facing funding crunches, the film's themes of desperation and survival hit close to home for young professionals everywhere.
Korea Herald
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Park Chan-wook's ‘No Other Choice' heads to Venice competition
Black comedy becomes first Korean title in Golden Lion race since 2012's 'Pieta' Director Park Chan-wook's upcoming feature "No Other Choice" has been selected for the main competition at the 82nd Venice Film Festival, festival organizers announced Tuesday evening during a livestream unveiling the official lineup. An adaptation of Donald Westlake's 1996 novel "The Ax," "No Other Choice" follows a laid-off middle-aged man who begins eliminating rival job candidates to secure employment and support his family. Lee Byung-hun stars alongside Son Ye-jin, Park Hee-soon, Lee Sung-min, Yeom Hye-ran, Cha Seung-won and Yoo Yeon-seok. The film marks the first Korean entry to compete for the Golden Lion since Kim Ki-duk's "Pieta" won the top prize in 2012. It is produced by CJ ENM and is set for domestic release in September. Park last appeared in the Venice competition with "Sympathy for Lady Vengeance" in 2005. The director had reportedly spent 17 years developing the screenplay for "No Other Choice" before wrapping production in January. Also in this year's competition is Yorgos Lanthimos's "Bugonia," an English-language remake of Jang Joon-hwan's 2003 cult classic, "Save the Green Planet." The genre hybrid stars Emma Stone and is co-produced by CJ ENM. The 2025 Venice Film Festival runs Aug. 27-Sept. 6. Other titles in the competition include Kathryn Bigelow's "A House of Dynamite," Noah Baumbach's "Jay Kelly" starring George Clooney, and Guillermo del Toro's "Frankenstein" with Oscar Isaac.
