Renowned South Korean filmmaker Park Chan-wook will open the 30th edition of the Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) with the world premiere of No Other Choice, his first feature since the Cannes-winning Decision to Leave (2022).
The highly anticipated drama stars Lee Byung Hun and Son Yejin as a married couple whose seemingly stable life is thrown into crisis after a sudden job loss. Lee plays Man-su, a father of two facing the loss of his home and identity, while Son portrays Miri, a mother fighting to hold her family together. The cast also features Park Hee Soon, Lee Sung Min, Yeom Hye Ran, and Cha Seung Won.
No Other Choice is described as a “passion project” that Park first hinted at during BIFF in 2019. Now, six years later, the filmmaker returns to the festival with a film the organisers say “embodies what audiences most hope to see – a work that can reinvigorate Korean cinema at a pivotal moment.”
Festival director Jung Hanseok called the selection “deeply moving,” adding, “I sincerely hope that its selection will build meaningful momentum to garner greater attention and foster renewed interest in Korean cinema.”
In a notable coincidence, Lee Byung Hun, who stars in the film, will also serve as host of this year’s Opening Ceremony.
BIFF, one of Asia’s most prestigious film festivals, celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. The event runs from 17 to 26 September in the southeastern port city of Busan and will feature a broad range of international premieres, retrospectives, and industry events.
No Other Choice will have its Asian premiere on the festival’s opening night.
