The Korean Film Council has chosen Park Chan-wook’s new film, No Other Choice, as South Korea’s official submission for the Best International Feature category at the upcoming Academy Awards. The Oscars decision follows the film’s premiere in competition at the Venice Film Festival, where it was met with enthusiastic reviews.
The selection committee, which included figures like Kwak Sin-ae, a producer of the Oscar-winning film Parasite, explained its choice based on the film’s quality and potential for global appeal.
A Compelling Black Comedy
Industry Support and Global Reach
The film, starring Lee Byung-hun, was financed and produced by the Korean studio CJ ENM and has already secured international distribution. Neon, the North American distributor for Parasite, has acquired the U.S. rights. Mubi has picked up the film for several other territories, including the U.K.
The backing of CJ ENM and Neon, which successfully spearheaded the “Parasite” awards campaign, is seen as a strategic advantage. No Other Choice will be released in South Korean cinemas on September 24, which meets the qualifying rules for the Oscars.
The selection of Park’s film signals a continued ambition by South Korea to assert its cinematic presence on the world stage, with a director whose work is consistently recognized for its artistic precision and international resonance.
