Park Chan Wook's 'No Other Choice' to Open 30th Busan International Film Festival

3 weeks ago 12

August 5, 2025 | 07:29 pm

The Korean film No Other Choice, directed by Park Chan Wook, has been officially announced as the opening film for the 30th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), set to take place from September 17-26, 2025. Starring Lee Byung Hun and Son Ye Jin, the film will also compete at the Venice International Film Festival before its Asian premiere at the opening of BIFF.

Park Chan Wook Returns to Open BIFF with His Latest Film

The 30th Busan International Film Festival has chosen the latest film from renowned South Korean filmmaker, Park Chan Wook, titled No Other Choice, as the opening film. This marks his return to the big screen after three years since Decision to Leave (2022), a film that earned him the Best Director award at the Cannes Film Festival.

In an official statement quoted from Yonhap News Agency, the BIFF committee said the film "embodies what audiences most hope to see—a film that can reinvigorate Korean cinema at this pivotal moment." The committee also emphasized that the selection of Park Chan Wook's work reflects a form of sincere respect and support for contemporary South Korean cinema.

Meanwhile, as reported by Variety, No Other Choice follows the story of a man and his "own war for survival." The festival organizers also referred to it as Park Chan Wook's long-awaited passion project, even since its first introduction at BIFF 2019.

Lee Byung Hun and Son Ye Jin will appear as a married couple for the first time on-screen. Lee Byung Hun will also serve as the BIFF opening ceremony host. The film also stars Park Hee Soon, Lee Sung Min, Yeom Hye Ran, and Cha Seung Won. The film will have its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival before its Asian premiere at the opening of BIFF.

Synopsis of No Other Choice

Adapted from Donald E. Westlake's novel, The Ax, No Other Choice is a dark psychological thriller that portrays the extreme transformation of an ordinary man. It tells the story of Man Soo (Lee Byung Hun), an office worker who has devoted 25 years to a paper mill and suddenly loses his job. He experiences one pressure after another, from failed job interviews to having to consider selling his house, pushing Man Soo to the brink.

According to the synopsis quoted from Soompi, Lee Byung Hun portrays this main character with intense emotional approach. He stated that the main challenge was to make the audience believe in the extreme situation experienced by Man Soo. The film also highlights Man Soo's personal struggle to protect his family amidst despair.

Director Park Chan Wook, who previously collaborated with Lee in Joint Security Area and Three Extremes, highly praised the actor's performance. "Lee Byung Hun has an incredible range of expressions. He can shift emotions instantly as needed, which made every moment of the film compelling from beginning to end," he expressed.

BIFF 2025 to Take Place Earlier

This year, the Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) celebrates its 30th anniversary. Through the official BIFF website, it's stated that the festival was first inaugurated on September 13, 1996. BIFF was conceived as a small but prestigious festival and started with 169 films from 31 countries, screened in six theaters across Busan.

At that time, many doubted the idea of holding an international festival outside the capital, Seoul. However, three decades later, BIFF has become one of the most respected film festivals in Asia.

To celebrate its 30th edition, BIFF 2025 is scheduled to take place from September 17 to 26, slightly earlier than usual. This schedule adjustment was made to align with two significant national events, the Chuseok holiday (Korean Thanksgiving) and the National Sports Festival, both following the lunar calendar.

According to a report from Deadline, this change also impacts the hosting of the Asian Contents & Film Market, which will take place from September 20 to 23, 2025.

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