The 82nd Venice International Film Festival competition institutional sector selection and the opening film of the 30th Busan International Film Festival, 'No Other Choice,' has been officially invited to the 50th Toronto International Film Festival and the 63rd New York Film Festival.
'No Other Choice' (director Park Chan-wook, distributed by CJ ENM, produced by Moho Film and CJ ENM Studios) tells the story of an office worker, 'Mansu' (Lee Byung-hun), who felt life was satisfying enough to think he had 'achieved it all,' but after being unexpectedly fired, prepares for his own war for re-employment to protect his wife and two children and to maintain the home he had worked hard to secure. 'No Other Choice,' which was invited to the Venice International Film Festival's competition institutional sector for the first time in 13 years and selected as the opening film of the 30th Busan International Film Festival, continues to garner global interest as it is officially invited to the 50th Toronto International Film Festival and the 63rd New York Film Festival.
'No Other Choice' was invited to the Gala Presentations section of the 50th Toronto International Film Festival, held from Sept. 4 (Thursday) to Sept. 14 (Sunday), which features notable films. This section has previously included beloved domestic works such as 'Hunt' (2022), 'Concrete Utopia' (2023), 'Smuggling' (2023), and 'Harbin' (2024). 'No Other Choice' will have its first screening at Roy Thomson Hall on Sept. 8 (Monday), and Lee Byung-hun is set to receive the Special Tribute Award, given to individuals who have achieved outstanding accomplishments in the film industry, becoming the first Korean actor to do so.
'No Other Choice' further proves the strength of Korean cinema by securing a spot in the Main Slate section of the New York Film Festival, known for its previous official invitations to films like 'Parasite' (2019). The 63rd New York Film Festival, which will be held from Sept. 26 (Friday) to Oct. 13 (Monday), invites works that excel in artistry and popularity, leading new trends in the international film festival scene.
Director Park Chan-wook, who has previously been invited to the festival for 'Sympathy for Lady Vengeance' (2005) and 'Decision to Leave' (2022), adds special significance to this third invitation. With consecutive invitations to prestigious film festivals, 'No Other Choice' is expected to captivate global audiences with its fun and quality that transcends borders.
Park Chan-wook's new film 'No Other Choice' features the collaboration of trusted actors, dramatic developments, beautiful mise-en-scène, solid direction, and even incorporates elements of black comedy, and is set to be released in September.
[Photo] CJ ENM
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