Celebrated filmmaker Park Chan Wook is set to walk the red carpet at the 'Venice International Film Festival' for the third time with his new film 'No Other Choice,' which has been officially invited to compete in the festival’s main competition section. This marks the first time in 13 years that a Korean film has been selected for the prestigious category, following Kim Ki Duk’s 'Pieta' in 2012.
On July 22, the Venice Film Festival committee confirmed the selection, noting that 'No Other Choice' will compete in the 82nd edition of the festival. The main competition section is the festival’s most prominent category, where the coveted Golden Lion is awarded.
'No Other Choice' becomes the 11th Korean film in history to be invited to the competition section at Venice. The film tells the story of Mansoo (played by Lee Byung Hun), a laid-off office worker who, determined to protect his wife (Son Ye Jin) and two children, embarks on a difficult journey to find a new job.
This marks Park Chan Wook’s third invitation to Venice. He first appeared at the festival in 2004 with 'Three… Extremes,' which screened in the Midnight Express section. The following year, he returned with Lady Vengeance, which was featured in the main competition.
Park previously received multiple accolades at Venice for Lady Vengeance, including the Young Lion Award, Cinema of the Future Award, and Best Innovated Film Award.
Reflecting on the invitation, Park said, “Completing this film and receiving an invitation to Venice makes me think, ‘I’m so glad I never gave up on this project over the years.’”
Lead actor Lee Byung Hun shared his excitement: “I’m genuinely eager to watch the film myself. It’s a tremendous honor to bring such a meaningful project to Venice.”
Actress Son Ye Jin, attending her first international film festival, expressed her gratitude: “Venice will be my first overseas film festival experience. It feels like a dream. I’m incredibly honored and touched to be part of it.”
'No Other Choice' will have its world premiere at the 'Venice International Film Festival,' which runs from August 27 to September 6 in Venice, Italy. The film is scheduled for domestic release in September.
The 'Venice International Film Festival,' founded in 1932, is the oldest film festival in the world and is considered one of the "Big Three," alongside Cannes and Berlin.
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