Park Chan-wook’s ‘No Other Choice’ Selected by Korea for Oscars

The Korean Film Council has selected Park Chan-wook’s “No Other Choice” as the country’s submission for best international feature at the 98th Academy Awards.

The move positions the acclaimed filmmaker — whose credits include “Oldboy,” “The Handmaiden” and “Decision to Leave,” which was shortlisted in the category, — for a fresh run at Oscar glory.

The dark comedy, adapted from Donald E. Westlake’s novel “The Ax,” premiered at the Venice Film Festival, where it is competing for the Golden Lion. Lee Byung-hun, best known globally from “Squid Game,” takes the lead as Yoo Man-su, a paper-industry veteran pushed to desperate, murderous extremes after 25 years of loyalty is abruptly discarded.

Critics have hailed “No Other Choice” as one of Park’s most humane and mordantly funny works to date. Reviewing the film for Variety, critic Jessica Kiang described it as a “delectable dark comedy “No Other Choice,” the latest exhibit in the mounting body of evidence suggesting Park Chan-wook may be the most elegant filmmaker alive.”

The selection continues Korea’s strategy of backing bold auteur-driven fare for awards season. “Parasite’s” historic 2020 Oscar sweep set the bar for Korean cinema on the world stage, and Park’s latest offering — handled in North America by Neon — could generate strong buzz among voters, if the ecstatic reception at reception is anything to go by.

The film opens the Busan International Film Festival and producer CJ ENM is releasing it in Korea on Sept. 24.

The Oscar international feature shortlist will be announced on Dec. 16 and the final five nominees will be announced on Jan. 22.