International Media Hail "This Year's Parasite"
Perfect 100 on Rotten Tomatoes... Golden Lion Prospects Rise
Park Chanwook: "I Hope to Show Another Possibility for Korean Cinema"
Director Park Chanwook's new film "No Other Choice" was unveiled in the competition section of the 82nd Venice International Film Festival, receiving a nine-minute standing ovation. Amid enthusiastic cheers from the audience, the cast and crew embraced on stage, and Director Park expressed his emotions, saying, "After a long journey, we have finally borne fruit."
This film is based on "The Ax" (1997) by American mystery novelist Donald Westlake. It portrays, as a black comedy, the story of Mansu (played by Lee Byunghun), a once-successful office worker who is suddenly fired and begins eliminating his competitors in order to protect his family.
Director Park reduced the number of victims from seven to three and restructured each incident in his own unique way to enhance the film's satirical tone. In particular, Park's signature black humor shines through in the scenes where Ara (played by Yum Hyeran), the wife of a competitor, evokes both tension and laughter, and in the chaotic fight sequence set to Cho Yongpil's "Gochujamjari."
The response from international media has been enthusiastic. The BBC in the United Kingdom gave the film a five-star review titled "A Dazzling Korean Masterpiece Is This Year's Parasite," praising its quality as comparable to Bong Joonho's Academy Award-winning film. The review also predicted that the film could achieve global box office success.
Variety, an American film magazine, lauded the movie as "Park Chanwook's dazzling murder comedy is a masterclass in controlled chaos," and added, "The Korean director, known for 'Oldboy,' 'The Handmaiden,' and 'Decision to Leave,' satirizes the madness of layoffs with exhilarating wit." The review further stated, "The film is filled with evidence that he may be the most elegant filmmaker alive today."
On the 29th of last month (local time), at the Sala Grande Theater on Lido Island in Venice, Italy, director Park Chanwook and actors Son Yejin and Lee Byunghun responded to the audience's applause after the premiere screening of the film "No Other Choice." Photo by Yonhap News
Screendaily described the film as "an extremely entertaining yet heartbreaking exploration of the despair of long-term unemployment and the brutality of the corporate world." The review also analyzed, "In an era when artificial intelligence is taking over the labor market, any of us could become like the protagonist Mansu."
The Washington Post called it "the most talked-about film on the ground in Venice," adding, "It is the kind of film you can name without hesitation when asked about the best in competition." The review also noted, "The film offers a unique exploration of what happens when the necessity of survival surpasses morality."
The review aggregator site Rotten Tomatoes currently gives No Other Choice a perfect score of 100, surpassing the 99 points recorded by "Parasite." Although there are only eighteen critic reviews so far, meaning the score may change, the festival's immediate response alone marks a significant achievement.
Some international media outlets are already predicting the film as a strong contender for the Academy Awards. IndieWire, in an article titled "The Oscars Have No Other Choice But to Nominate Park Chanwook," forecasted that the film is highly likely to receive an Academy Award nomination. The review added, "While maintaining Park Chanwook's provocative essence, the film is not excessively violent, which could win favor with the judges." The Washington Post also reported, "The enthusiastic reception in Venice and the perfect Rotten Tomatoes score are making No Other Choice a leading contender in the Oscar race."
Director Park Chanwook, who visited the Venice International Film Festival, is striking a pose. Photo by CJ ENM
There are a total of twenty-one films competing for the festival's highest honor, the Golden Lion. Notable entries include "Bugonia" by director Yorgos Lanthimos, "Frankenstein" by Guillermo del Toro, and "Jay Kelly" by Noah Baumbach. In particular, "Frankenstein" received a fifteen-minute standing ovation after its screening, making it a formidable competitor.
Nevertheless, both the international press and critics seem to be placing greater weight on Park Chanwook's new film. It has been thirteen years since a Korean film last competed for the Golden Lion in Venice, following director Kim Kiduk's win for "Pieta." Park Chanwook has returned to the competition section for the first time in twenty years since "Lady Vengeance." He stated, "This is the result of holding on to a story that anyone can relate to in modern capitalist society without giving up," adding, "I hope this film shows another possibility for Korean cinema."
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