Acclaimed director Park Chan-wook expressed profound gratitude and emotion as his latest film 'No Other Choice' was selected as the opening movie for the 30th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF). During a press conference held at the Busan Cinema Center on Wednesday, Park revealed that this marks the first time one of his films has been chosen to inaugurate the prestigious international film festival.
'Everyone knows this is a project I've been preparing for a long time. It took a long time to complete the film and I'm deeply moved that we get the Korean premiere at BIFF,' Park stated during the press conference. The renowned director, who has been associated with BIFF for many years, emphasized his excitement about this milestone achievement. 'I've been a part of BIFF for a long time, but this is the first time one of my films has been chosen to open it. I'm really thrilled,' he added.
'No Other Choice' tells the compelling story of Man-soo, portrayed by Lee Byung-hun, a devoted family man whose life takes a dramatic turn when he is suddenly laid off from his job. The film follows his desperate and determined fight to secure new employment while dealing with the challenges that unemployment brings to his family life. The movie features an impressive ensemble cast that includes some of Korea's most celebrated actors.
BIFF programmer Karen Park praised the film as an ideal choice for the festival's landmark 30th anniversary edition. 'This is a masterpiece created by some of the greatest filmmakers of our time,' she commented, highlighting both director Park Chan-wook's exceptional talent and the stellar cast that includes Lee Byung-hun, Son Ye-jin, Park Hee-soon, Lee Sung-min, and Yeom Hye-ran. 'We feel honored to have selected 'No Other Choice,' a film that showcases the power of Korean cinema, as our opening movie,' she continued.
Lee Byung-hun, who takes on the challenging lead role and also serves as the host for the BIFF opening ceremony, shared his overwhelming emotions about the project. 'I might not be as excited as the director, but this is the most I've ever looked forward to a movie I've made,' the accomplished actor revealed during the press conference. His dual role as both star and ceremony host adds special significance to this year's festival opening.
Actress Son Ye-jin, who is making a highly anticipated return to cinema screens, opened up about her feelings regarding the current state of the film industry and her career. 'This is my screen comeback after seven years. I have some anxiety about how often I'll be able to act in the future. That's why this project is even more meaningful,' she candidly shared. The actress went on to express her hopes for the industry's future, stating, 'And it will be even more important going forward. It's made me feel an even stronger desire for great directors like Park Chan-wook to create many more films. I also believe that if I do my best in my place, I can present a better path for audiences.'
Director Park Chan-wook also took the opportunity to express his deep affection for Busan, the coastal city that has become synonymous with Korean cinema and film culture. 'I love Busan so much that I often come down to spend time here. I've also spent a lot of time in Busan when writing screenplays,' he shared with evident fondness. The director praised the city's unique qualities that make it perfect for both hosting film festivals and creating cinema. 'I think it's the best city for both a film festival and for making films because it has all the scenery that a movie needs,' Park concluded, highlighting Busan's diverse landscapes and cinematic atmosphere that have made it a beloved destination for filmmakers worldwide.
