[OSENWORLD] Park Chan-wook adds another honor to his illustrious career, taking home Best Director at the 58th Sitges Film Festival for his latest feature, No Other Choice — a darkly comic survival drama that blends razor-sharp tension with ironic humor.
The film follows Man-soo (Lee Byung-hun), a contented office worker whose seemingly perfect life collapses when he’s abruptly laid off. In his desperate bid to protect his wife, children, and hard-earned home, Man-soo wages his own private war of survival — a biting reflection of modern social anxiety and determination.
A collaboration with some of Korea’s top talent, No Other Choice blends Park’s trademark visual precision, dry wit, and emotional depth. The film’s seamless shifts between tension and dark humor have resonated strongly with audiences worldwide.
At Sitges — one of the world’s largest genre film festivals, held annually in Spain — Park’s direction was praised for its balance of humanity and absurdity. The festival, known for celebrating inventive works in fantasy, horror, and genre cinema, has long been a stage for Park’s triumphs.
He has previously earned multiple Sitges honors, including Best Film for Oldboy (2004), the FX Award for Three, Monster (2004), Best Screenplay for I’m a Cyborg, But That’s OK (2007), Best Short Film for Night Fishing (2011), and the Audience Award for The Handmaiden (2017).
No Other Choice continues Park’s impressive international run. The film was invited to compete at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival — marking the first Korean film in competition in 13 years — and won the Audience Award at the Toronto International Film Festival. It also screened at the New York, London, and Miami International Film Festivals, earning widespread acclaim across continents.
Critics hail No Other Choice as Park’s boldest and most emotionally resonant work in years. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has maintained a perfect 100% score based on more than 60 reviews, with critics calling it “a masterclass in balancing despair and humor.”
With its festival wins, striking visual storytelling, and a powerhouse lead performance by Lee Byung-hun, No Other Choice cements Park Chan-wook’s status as one of modern cinema’s most daring and versatile auteurs.
The film is now playing in theaters nationwide, captivating audiences with its blend of tension, wit, and deeply human emotion.
/k_inside@osen.co.kr
Courtesy of CJ ENM
