Unusually, although he has been on the radar of most American cinephiles since his movie “Oldboy” received the Grand Prix at Cannes in 2004, grasp South Korean filmmaker Park Chan-wook has by no means been nominated for an Oscar, and has solely had certainly one of his movies submitted for Finest Worldwide Characteristic as soon as (shortlisted 2022 movie “Choice to Depart”).
There’s a good likelihood that his newest movie “No Different Alternative” might treatment that, particularly listening to how director Park speaks concerning the movie throughout its press convention upfront of its world premiere on the 82nd Venice Movie Competition.
“No Different Alternative,” a couple of devoted paper firm worker performed by “Squid Sport” actor Lee Byung-hun who finds himself out of labor, and prepared to go to nice lengths to get rid of the competitors in the way in which of a brand new job, is a movie that has been within the works for 20 years but couldn’t be extra related to at this time.
“Anybody who’s on the market making an attempt to make a dwelling within the present trendy capitalist society. All of us harbor that deep worry of employment insecurity. And I feel that the rationale I used to be capable of proceed to work at this movie for 20 years is as a result of any time throughout these twenty years, I’d inform the story to folks round me, irrespective of the place I went, I advised it, it doesn’t matter what nation or tradition, they might all relate to the story. And they’d at all times say, nicely, that’s such a well timed story,” he mentioned of the movie, which is an adaptation of the 1997 Donald E. Westlake novel “The Ax.”
One level director Park makes that might notably resonate with Academy members is how the story of “No Different Alternative” speaks to his expertise as a filmmaker. “I noticed many issues that we shared with the individuals who work for the paper firm, as a result of one of many issues was the way in which of the perspective towards the occupation itself. Some folks may not suppose what you do isn’t that valuable or nice, however we actually don’t care what different folks suppose,” mentioned the director.
“One more reason why I associated too deeply to these which were fired from the corporate, and that’s as a result of us as filmmakers, after we end a movie, it’s nearly such as you go into a really lengthy unemployment, the place you don’t, you’re not dedicated to any subsequent mission that may be you possibly can stretch for months to years, and that’s one thing that I’ve additionally personally skilled,” he added.
Whereas no public resolution has been made but on which movie South Korea will submit for Finest Worldwide Characteristic this yr, it was clear from how the solid spoke of him that there’s sufficient reverence for director Park in his dwelling nation to help “No Different Alternative” being the doubtless alternative. “It’s in all probability on each Korean actor’s bucket record, it doesn’t matter what style, it doesn’t matter what story, when you would ask an actor on the market if you wish to work with director Park, they might say they might be pleased to leap on the chance with out second thought,” mentioned Byung-hun.
The worldwide star, who additionally voices the villain in “KPop Demon Hunters,” additionally mentioned that when he first learn the “No Different Alternative” script, “I assumed this must be in all probability one of the vital industrial movies created by director Park Chan-wook. I assumed it was extraordinarily intriguing and so enjoyable.”
There lies an enormous cause why the Neon launch has awards potential. Not solely is there the sentiment that director Park is late for an Oscar nomination, black comedy “No Different Alternative” manages to remain true to his provocative nature with out being as isolating as a few of his previous work that has been too brutal for voters — and even South Korea’s choice committee.
“No Different Alternative” premiered on the 2025 Venice Movie Competition. NEON will launch it in the USA.