Renowned South Korean director Park Chan-wook has finally brought his long-cherished project to life, adapting Donald E. Westlake's novel "The Ax" into the upcoming film "No Other Choice." At a press conference held in Seoul on Tuesday, the acclaimed filmmaker revealed that no book has ever inspired his desire to create a film adaptation more strongly than this particular work. Park described the project as the one "I've wanted to make the most for so long," emphasizing the deep personal connection he felt to the source material.
The journey to bring this story to the screen has been a lengthy one for Park Chan-wook. "It's been almost 20 years since I first thought about it. While I wasn't working on this project exclusively, I had been pursuing it ceaselessly," the director explained during the press event. "And now the day has finally come to fruition." This persistence reflects Park's dedication to projects that resonate with him on a profound level, continuing his tradition of crafting films that blend dark themes with unexpected elements.
Both Park and the cast members described "No Other Choice" as a film that is simultaneously heartbreaking and hilarious. The director explained that he discovered ample room for "darkly absurd humor" when adapting the original novel for the screen. "The book brilliantly described how an ordinary man is cornered by the social system. Whenever I revisited the book, I found it very engaging and worth savoring due to its intricate psychological mechanisms," Park noted. "I also saw the potential to bring a new layer of absurd humor -- the kind that is both sad and funny."
Park's approach to finding comedy within tragedy stems from his observation of human nature's inherent duality. "A closer look at human life exposes their tragicomic duality," the director continued. "I am not trying to generate laughs by mocking people in their miserable circumstances. The film explores emotions that we all have, so it is ultimately the story of us all." This philosophical approach demonstrates Park's commitment to creating cinema that speaks to universal human experiences while maintaining his distinctive directorial voice.
The film centers around Man-soo, portrayed by acclaimed actor Lee Byung-hun, a middle-aged man who faces a life-altering crisis when he is suddenly fired from his position at a paper company. Determined to secure new employment, Man-soo becomes increasingly desperate and begins dealing with those he perceives as obstacles standing in his way. This premise sets up a darkly comedic exploration of modern economic pressures and the lengths to which ordinary people might go when pushed to their limits.
Joining Lee Byung-hun in the cast is Son Ye-jin, widely recognized for her roles in the popular television series "Crash Landing on You" (2019-2020) and the film "The Negotiation" (2018). Son plays A-ra, Man-soo's wife, who is characterized as both cheerful and mentally resilient. Her performance promises to provide a counterbalance to the increasingly desperate actions of her screen husband, adding depth to the film's exploration of family dynamics under extreme stress.
Regarding the film's unexpected comedic elements, Lee Byung-hun shared his initial surprise at the script's tone. "I was surprised by how funny director Park's film turned out to be. After reading the script, I had to ask him, 'Am I supposed to play this for laughs?'" Despite the humorous aspects, Lee emphasized the film's emotional complexity and its potential to evoke a wide range of feelings in audiences. He focused on portraying Man-soo as a man "cornered into an extreme situation" in "a convincing and believable way," ensuring that the character's descent into desperation remains grounded in reality.
The supporting cast features several notable Korean actors, including Lee Sung-min from "Handsome Guys" (2024), Yeom Hye-ran from the popular Netflix original series "The Glory" (2022), Cha Seung-won of "Believer 2" (2023), and Park Hee-soon from "The Policeman's Lineage" (2022). This ensemble cast brings together performers known for their versatility and ability to handle complex, morally ambiguous characters, which appears perfectly suited to Park Chan-wook's distinctive filmmaking style.
The timing of "No Other Choice" comes at a particularly significant moment in Park Chan-wook's career. Following his 2022 Best Director win at the Cannes Film Festival for "Decision to Leave," the auteur's latest work is positioned for another major cinematic honor. The film has been selected to compete for the prestigious Golden Lion at this year's Venice International Film Festival, scheduled to run from August 27 to September 6. This selection marks a historic achievement, as "No Other Choice" becomes the first Korean film to compete for the festival's top prize in 13 years, since Kim Ki-duk's "Pieta" won the award in 2012.
Additionally, "No Other Choice" has been chosen as the opening film for this year's Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), set to take place from September 17-26. The Busan International Film Festival described the selection as particularly meaningful, stating that the film "embodies what audiences most hope to see: a work capable of reinvigorating Korean cinema at this pivotal moment." This recognition from Korea's most prestigious film festival suggests high expectations for the film's impact on both domestic and international cinema landscapes, positioning it as a potential landmark work in contemporary Korean filmmaking.
